alter the wording of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "alter the wording of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing changes to the text or phrasing of a document, statement, or piece of writing. Example: "Please alter the wording of the proposal to make it more concise and clear."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

In the end, the group did not alter the wording of the statement -- that economic weakness rather than the threat of higher inflation posed the greatest risks.

The New York Times

But do warn your brother to alter the wording of his hastily scrawled discount offers to avoid any such blunders in the future.

The New York Times - Magazine

In their 27-page filing, the states did alter the wording of their proposal to specify that they want Microsoft to offer PC manufacturers a version of Windows built with block-like modules of software code.

The New York Times

While the current investigation did not alter the wording of the EQ-VAS to give a positive or negative valence, a similar effect is likely to have been elicited by the extreme health state descriptors provided between assessments.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

In the ultrafine particle elicitation [ 34], experts were allowed to discuss and slightly alter the wording of the questions, which proved to be highly useful to create common understanding, and reduce the semantic differences between disciplines.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

If a motion is amended, simply alter the wording of the motion in your notes.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

They would alter the words of contemporary song hits into anti-Nazi anthems: For example, "Hark the hearty fellows sing/Strum that banjo, pluck that string/And all the lasses join in/We're going to get rid of Hitler/And he can't do a thing".

Vice

He altered the wording of the draft so that the proposal came from the United States to Great Britain, rather than the reverse.

The New Yorker

They endorsed instead a stepped-up combination of monetary policies, government spending and structural changes, altering the wording of Saturday night's communiqué from communiqués last year to put somewhat greater emphasis on these policies.

The New York Times

Her features were separately good". But even Henry couldn't settle to one consistent description and altered the wording of his note in an 1833 reprint to "her stature rather exceeded the middle height", dropping the phrase about "true elegance".

The Guardian - Books

Though Tesco was shamed by grammatical purists into altering the wording of its checkout signs from "10 items or less" to "Up to 10 items", there's no sound historical or logical basis for such pedantry.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context when you "alter the wording of" a document to ensure it remains appropriate and effective.

Common error

Avoid removing essential details when you "alter the wording of" a sentence for conciseness, as this can reduce clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "alter the wording of" functions as a verb phrase that describes the action of modifying the specific words used in a text or statement. It is commonly used to denote a change in expression without necessarily changing the core meaning. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "alter the wording of" is a grammatically sound phrase that means to modify the specific words used in a text without changing its underlying meaning. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While moderately common, it appears most frequently in News & Media and Scientific contexts. Alternatives include phrases like "revise the phrasing of" or "modify the language of". When employing this phrase, ensure any changes enhance clarity without compromising the original intent. Avoid over-editing for brevity to prevent loss of critical details.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

revise the phrasing of

Focuses on improving clarity or accuracy through slight textual adjustments.

modify the language of

Suggests making changes to the specific terms and expressions used.

adjust the wording in

Implies a minor alteration to achieve a better fit or effect.

rephrase the text of

Emphasizes expressing the same idea in a new and different way.

rewrite the phrasing of

Indicates a more extensive change to the structure and style of the wording.

edit the language of

Suggests making corrections and improvements to the wording.

tweak the wording of

Implies small, subtle adjustments to fine-tune the wording.

adapt the phrasing of

Focuses on modifying the text to suit a specific purpose or audience.

reformulate the wording of

Suggests expressing the wording in a new and clearer manner.

recast the language of

Suggests presenting the wording in a completely different style.

FAQs

How can I use "alter the wording of" in a sentence?

You can use "alter the wording of" when you need to modify the text in a document or statement, for example, "The committee decided to "alter the wording of" the proposal to make it more persuasive".

What's a more formal way to say "alter the wording of"?

For a more formal tone, you might use "revise the phrasing of" or "modify the language of", which sound more professional in academic or business contexts.

What is the difference between "alter the wording of" and "change the meaning of"?

"Alter the wording of" implies modifying the text without necessarily changing the core message, whereas "change the meaning of" suggests a fundamental shift in the message itself.

Is it always necessary to inform stakeholders when you "alter the wording of" a document?

It depends on the significance of the changes. Minor adjustments for clarity may not require notification, but substantial alterations that could affect interpretation should be communicated to relevant parties.