are altered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are altered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been changed or modified in some way. Example: "The documents are altered to reflect the new policy changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Chronologies are altered.

The New York Times

Their facial structures are altered with makeup.

The New York Times

Subroutines are altered by a single punch.

Harvard University

These signals are altered in several diseases.

Trends in Molecular Medicine

Sometimes forms are altered in ways that thwart easy recognition.

The New York Times - Arts

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

The Guardian - Film

Often only a few words are altered between the two.

The Washington Post

These characteristics are altered by nitrogen gas stirring.

Electrochimica Acta

These properties remain the same when others are altered.

The Economist

Consequences of such differences are altered tropism and pathogenicity.

Current Opinion in Structural Biology

1970 -- Street-level storefronts are altered with aluminum and glass facades.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are altered", ensure the subject clearly indicates what is undergoing the change. For example, "The data are altered to reflect new findings" provides clarity.

Common error

Ensure that the sentence specifies how something "are altered". Instead of just stating "the settings are altered", clarify the nature of the alteration. For instance, you could say "the settings are altered to increase sensitivity".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are altered" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence undergoes a change or modification. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's a common way to express that something has been changed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

28%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are altered" serves as a grammatically sound and frequently employed passive construction, indicating that a subject has undergone change. According to Ludwig AI, it's accurate and appropriate in written English. Predominantly found within scientific, news, and business domains, its application necessitates clarity regarding the nature of the alteration. For enhanced writing, ensure specificity and avoid vague references to modification. Alternatives such as "have been modified" or "are transformed" can provide nuanced expressions, yet "are altered" remains a versatile choice across diverse contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been modified

Emphasizes the completed action of changing something.

have been changed

A more direct and common way to express that something is different now.

are modified

A simpler, present-tense passive construction.

are transformed

Suggests a more significant or fundamental change.

are adjusted

Implies a fine-tuning or slight modification.

are revised

Focuses on the act of reviewing and making necessary corrections or updates.

are amended

Suggests a formal or legal change.

are adapted

Implies a change to suit new conditions or purposes.

are converted

Suggests a change from one form to another.

are reformed

Suggests a change with the purpose of improvement.

FAQs

How can I use "are altered" in a sentence?

You can use "are altered" to indicate that something has been changed or modified. For example, "The experimental results "are altered" to fit the model".

What are some alternatives to "are altered"?

Some alternatives include "have been modified", "have been changed", or "are transformed", depending on the specific context and the degree of change you want to emphasize.

Which is correct, "are altered" or "have been altered"?

Both "are altered" and "have been altered" can be correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Are altered" suggests a general state, while "have been altered" emphasizes a completed action in the past that has present relevance.

What is the difference between "are altered" and "are modified"?

While both phrases indicate change, "are altered" can suggest a more significant or fundamental change than "are modified", which often implies a more minor adjustment.