alter the selection

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "alter the selection" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing changes made to a chosen item or group, often in contexts like editing, programming, or decision-making. Example: "To refine your results, you may want to alter the selection of filters applied to the dataset."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

But the new service makes it possible to load up to 10 reports at once and to alter the selection of reports.

The New York Times - Tech

For simplicity, consider a situation where SSA receives additional funding for CDRs but does not fundamentally alter the selection process or CDR rules i.e., SSA simply conducts more FMRs with the same system of triage.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

In this study, the parameters were optimized to produce particles of six different sizes: 1.3, 1.7, 2.5, 3.7, 4.5, and 5.5 nm (as shown in Fig. 2). Figure 2 Mass spectrometer profiles (line, before the selection by mass) and HAADF (filled area, alter the selection by mass) of the distribution.

Nanoscale Research Letters

As children with a mutation in BRCA1 do not develop cancer before the onset of reproduction, and as fertility is zero after age 50, survival before 10 and after 50 will not alter the selection coefficient.

Plosone

The rabbi could then alter the selection of a marriage partner utilizing this information.

Genome Medicine

In case of disagreement, panel members were able to alter the selection by replacing a maximum of 3 predictors.

BMC Family Practice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

After all, the dictionary altered the selection process in the past.

The Washington Post

While the 2006 changes altered the selection process for member states, it did not alter their incentives once on the council — to act in their own self-interests.

The Washington Post

By altering the selection procedures, phage-displayed peptides that bind to antibody 93F3 in the absence of 1,3-diketone hapten derivatives have also been developed.

Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry

The two time points differed in unemployment rate: the proportion unemployed was larger in the second period, thus possibly altering the selection effects.

BMJ Open

The existence of subclasses with different expression profiles (e.g., a tumor with low amount of carcinoma) may alter the feature selection process and mislead further functional analyses of differentially expressed genes.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "alter the selection", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being selected and why it needs to be altered. This avoids ambiguity and ensures your message is easily understood.

Common error

While "alter the selection" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal documents where more precise or sophisticated language might be preferred. Consider using synonyms like "revise", "modify", or "adjust" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "alter the selection" functions as a verb phrase where "alter" acts as the main verb and "the selection" is the direct object. This phrase indicates an action taken upon a previously made selection. Ludwig AI shows that this phrase is found in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

57%

News & Media

29%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "alter the selection" is a grammatically correct and understandable way to express the act of modifying or changing a chosen set of items. According to Ludwig AI, it appears most frequently in scientific and news-related contexts and carries a neutral to formal tone. While it's a useful phrase, remember to consider your audience and the specific nuances you want to convey, perhaps using synonyms like "modify", "adjust", or "revise" where appropriate. Paying attention to context and formality will ensure clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

modify the choice

Replaces "selection" with "choice", keeping the meaning of changing a decision.

adjust the option

Substitutes "alter" with "adjust" and "selection" with "option", implying a slight change to a preference.

revise the preference

Uses "revise" instead of "alter" and "preference" instead of "selection", suggesting a more thorough change.

amend the decision

Employs "amend" in place of "alter" and "decision" for "selection", highlighting a formal correction or improvement.

change the pick

Replaces "alter" with "change" and "selection" with "pick", making the phrase more informal.

vary the assortment

Switches to "vary" instead of "alter" and "assortment" instead of "selection", emphasizing diversification.

reconsider the item

Uses "reconsider" which suggests a deeper level of change is under consideration and "item" is being evaluated.

tweak the setting

Replaces "alter" with "tweak" and "selection" with "setting", implying a fine adjustment.

reshape the group

Substitutes "alter" with "reshape" and "selection" with "group", focusing on changing the composition.

rework the set

Uses "rework" for "alter" and "set" for "selection", implying a more substantial restructuring.

FAQs

What does "alter the selection" mean?

The phrase "alter the selection" means to change or modify a group of items or options that have been chosen. It implies making adjustments, revisions, or amendments to what has already been selected.

How can I use "alter the selection" in a sentence?

You might use "alter the selection" in a sentence like: "After reviewing the data, we decided to alter the selection of marketing strategies." or "The software allows users to easily alter the selection of filters for a more customized search experience."

What can I say instead of "alter the selection"?

You can use alternatives like "modify the choice", "adjust the option", or "revise the preference" depending on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "alter the selection" formal or informal?

"Alter the selection" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal or technical writing, consider using synonyms such as "revise the preference" or "amend the decision" for a more sophisticated tone.