altered at will

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "altered at will" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that can be changed or modified freely and without restriction. Example: "The settings on the device can be altered at will to suit the user's preferences."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Large firms especially, such as those from our dataset of the S&P 500 companies, have rather rigid organizational structures that cannot be altered at will to promptly pursue a new strategic direction.

Harvard Business Review

The total 4,900 panels can either be laid all together to form a mega-painting with an area of 69 square metres, or, as will happen in the Serpentine show, displayed separately as 49 original works whose colour composition can be altered at will.

The Guardian - Arts

As a U.S. news report at the time said, "the dispute has come to epitomize an entrenched Chinese notion that terms of contracts can be altered at will". Although the McDonald's example is just one case, we saw many similar situations firsthand when we were, respectively, a wire service reporter and a business executive in Beijing.

Los Angeles Times

In contrast, site-specific recombinases possess all the enzyme functions required to bring about efficient, precise integration, deletion or inversion of defined DNA segments [6], and might be very effective instruments for genomic surgery if their target specificity could be altered at will [1].

Plosone

The majority of the existing works in systems and synthetic biology have focused on transcriptional regulation, as the interactions are relatively modular and can be altered at will.

BMC Systems Biology

Its technical implementation by heat inactivation permits reactions to be stopped at any desired time point, permitting variation of assay duration, and hence stringency of the subsequent selection, to be altered at will.

Analytical Chemistry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The Raqs Media Collective from New Delhi created an online space where anyone could post a story, photograph or music file, which other international visitors could alter at will.

The New York Times - Arts

It represented an effort to obtain a written and public code that patrician magistrates could not alter at will against plebeian litigants.

Britannica

He is like a sketch-comedy troupe rolled into one body, whose shape he seems able to alter at will, sometimes slinking like a demented weasel, sometimes lumbering like a quizzical ape.

The New York Times

And that mind clearing, in turn, melds into endless sadistic contortions of ongoing internet sex and confession, continually shifting wishes for life to be altered at one's will.

Vice

A key feature of ILs is that their cations, anions, and substituents can be altered virtually at will in order to adjust their chemical and physical properties.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "altered at will" to clearly indicate unrestricted modification capabilities, especially in technical or legal documentation where precision is key.

Common error

Avoid using "altered at will" in casual conversation; simpler phrases like "easily changed" or "modified freely" often sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "altered at will" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the manner in which an action (altering) is performed. It emphasizes the freedom and lack of restriction in making changes. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "altered at will" is a grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to describe the ability to modify something without limitations. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While generally neutral in tone, its use is more common in formal contexts like science, news, and encyclopedias. For less formal settings, alternatives like "easily changed" or "modified freely" might be more appropriate. When using this phrase, ensure you are clearly communicating the unrestricted nature of the modification capabilities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Customized at will

Focuses on tailoring something to specific requirements or desires without limitations.

Modified as desired

Focuses on the act of modification being driven by desire or preference.

Adjusted at one's discretion

Highlights the freedom to adjust something based on one's judgment.

Amended as wished

Emphasizes the ability to amend or correct something based on one's desires.

Changed without constraint

Emphasizes the absence of limitations or restrictions in making changes.

Adapted freely

Suggests an uninhibited adaptation to suit different purposes or situations.

Reconfigured at whim

Implies changes are made based on sudden desires or impulses.

Reshaped at pleasure

Conveys the idea of reshaping something according to one's liking or enjoyment.

Varied according to preference

Focuses on making variations based on personal taste or inclination.

Transformed without permission

Emphasizes transforming action that occurs independently without needing authorization.

FAQs

How can I use "altered at will" in a sentence?

You can use "altered at will" to describe something that can be changed freely and without restriction. For example, "The settings on this device can be "altered at will" to suit your preferences".

What is a more common phrase than "altered at will"?

Alternatives include "customized at will", "modified as desired", or "easily changed", depending on the context.

Is "altered at will" formal or informal?

"Altered at will" leans towards the formal side, suitable for technical documentation or legal contexts. More informal alternatives are "easily changed" or "modified freely".

Which is a better phrase, "altered at will" or "changed at will"?

Both phrases are similar, but "altered at will" implies a more significant or deliberate change, whereas "changed at will" is a broader term for any modification.