altered by

USAGE SUMMARY

'altered by' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the way something has been changed or affected by something else. For instance: "The landscape had been altered by the construction of a new highway."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"It can be altered by neglect.

Independent

Patrick Cariou photograph, as altered by Richard Prince.

The New Yorker

The blindfolds have been altered by technology.

The New York Times

Reuters now believes the bottom picture was altered by KCNA".

The Guardian

The brain cells have been altered by the breakthrough.

The New Yorker

Often their lives are altered by a single, catastrophic event.

The Guardian - Film

The selection and range are manipulated and altered by Scribe.

The Guardian

They inhabit a world heavily altered by humans.

The New York Times - Science

His recreational pursuits were also altered by the war.

The New York Times

"The law is not altered by a motion in parliament.

The Guardian

His features also began to be altered by plastic surgery.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "altered by" to clearly indicate a cause-and-effect relationship where one thing is directly changed by another. For example, "The ecosystem was significantly altered by the new dam."

Common error

While "altered by" is grammatically correct, overusing passive voice can make your writing sound weak. Consider using active voice when possible for a more direct and engaging style. For example, instead of "The results were altered by the intervention", try "The intervention altered the results".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "altered by" functions as a passive construction, indicating that something has undergone a change as a result of an action or influence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Unknown/unmatched sources

23%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "altered by" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction that clearly indicates a cause-and-effect relationship. As Ludwig AI points out, it is widely accepted and appears across diverse contexts, including science, news, and encyclopedias. While versatile, remember to consider active voice for more direct writing. Related phrases such as ""affected by"" or ""influenced by"" can offer nuanced alternatives depending on the specific change you want to convey. When employing this expression, be mindful of its potential overuse and strive for balance to maintain clarity and engagement in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

affected by

This phrase is a direct synonym, emphasizing the impact something has on something else.

changed by

A simpler and more general way to express that something has become different due to an external factor.

impacted by

Focuses on the effect of one thing on another, often implying a significant consequence.

influenced by

This alternative shifts the focus slightly to the idea of influence rather than a complete change.

shaped by

This suggests that something has been formed or molded by an external force.

modified by

This term suggests a more controlled or specific type of change.

transformed by

This alternative implies a more significant or dramatic change.

reformed by

Implies a change to a better state or form due to something.

converted by

Suggests a complete change in form or function.

redesigned by

This indicates a deliberate change in the design or structure of something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "altered by" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives like "modified by", "influenced by", or "transformed by". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What are some common synonyms for "altered by"?

Common synonyms include "affected by", "changed by", and "impacted by". The best choice depends on the context and the specific type of change you want to describe.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "altered by"?

While "altered by" is grammatically correct in passive voice, active voice often makes your writing more direct and engaging. For instance, instead of "The data was altered by the software", you could say "The software altered the data".

What is the difference between "altered by" and "influenced by"?

"Altered by" suggests a direct change or modification, whereas "influenced by" implies a more subtle or indirect effect. Something "altered by" something else has been directly changed by it, while something "influenced by" something else has been affected but not necessarily changed completely.