change or changes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "change or changes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the possibility of a single change or multiple changes in a given context. Example: "We need to consider whether a change or changes in our strategy will yield better results."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Somewhere in this long list will lie the change — or changes — that made us human to begin with.

The New Yorker

In last weekend's twin ABC debates, Mr. Obama's 14 invocations of "change" or "changes" were surpassed by Mrs. Clinton's 25 and nearly matched by Mitt Romney's 10.

The New York Times

Equilibrium behaviour is much easier to analyze, because any change that occurs on the molecular level must be compensated by some other change or changes on the molecular level in order for the system to remain in equilibrium.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The UK Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation program requires the Renewable Fuels Agency (RFA) to report potential indirect impacts of biofuel production, including indirect land use change or changes to food and other commodity prices.

Wikipedia

Two other factors are possible in driving the intra-species seasonal changes in ΔN observed: changes in metabolism driven by reproductive cycles or environmental change, or changes in diet.

Plosone

Given the phylogenetic distances in the D. melanogaster subgroup, dup,pu inference biases under the mixed non-equilibrium simulation can be understood, to a large extent, by considering extant codon configurations consistent with both a single change or changes in two lineages (ECC_SD for extant codon configurations consistent with single or double hits).

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

"Things never change or change later than sooner / Like the calamari, Billecart, filet mignon, and tuna!" Gould sings, while his co-workers shimmy on top of tables.

The New Yorker

As their father deteriorates, Ms. Ross examines the siblings' entrenched behavior and the ways they either try to change or change involuntarily.

The New York Times

Thus, the peak positions of Ti2p and O1s either did not change or changed only slightly.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Forest fragmentation can generally be considered as two components: 1) compositional change representing forest loss, and 2) configurational change or change in the arrangement of forest land cover.

Applied Geography

The share of renewable energy in the multinationals' energy production will probably not change or change only slightly, because they have invested in conventional production facilities [6].

Energy, Sustainability and Society

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing potential modifications to a plan or system, use "change or changes" to explicitly acknowledge the possibility of both single and multiple alterations.

Common error

Avoid using "change or changes" when the context clearly implies the possibility of multiple changes. Simpler phrasing like "changes" or "modifications" may suffice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "change or changes" functions as a noun phrase, indicating the potential for alteration, adjustment, or modification. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across diverse contexts, suggesting its adaptability to various subjects.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

37%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "change or changes" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to denote the possibility of either a single alteration or multiple alterations. Ludwig AI’s analysis reveals that it is most commonly found in scientific and news media contexts and that is considered correct and usable in written English. When writing, be mindful of potential redundancy and opt for more concise phrasing when the context allows. By recognizing the nuances of "change or changes", writers can communicate more effectively and avoid common pitfalls.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

modification or modifications

Replaces "change" with "modification", emphasizing alteration or adjustment.

alteration or alterations

Substitutes "change" with "alteration", suggesting a more formal or significant adjustment.

variation or variations

Uses "variation" instead of "change", highlighting the aspect of difference.

shift or shifts

Employs "shift" to indicate a change in position, direction, or focus.

adjustment or adjustments

Replaces "change" with "adjustment", focusing on the act of making something fit or align better.

transformation or transformations

Uses "transformation" to suggest a more profound or fundamental change.

revision or revisions

Substitutes "change" with "revision", particularly in the context of editing or improving something.

evolution or evolutions

Employs "evolution" to indicate a gradual process of change and development.

development or developments

Replaces "change" with "development", focusing on the process of growth or advancement.

transition or transitions

Uses "transition" to indicate a change from one state or condition to another.

FAQs

How can I use "change or changes" in a sentence?

You can use "change or changes" to indicate the possibility of one or more alterations. For instance, "The company is considering a "change or changes" to its marketing strategy" suggests that either a single modification or multiple modifications might occur.

What phrases are similar to "change or changes"?

Alternatives include "modification or modifications", "alteration or alterations", or simply "modifications" or "alterations" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between using "change" and "changes"?

While "change" refers to a single instance of alteration, "changes" refers to multiple instances. Using "change or changes" covers both possibilities in one phrase.

When is it better to use just "changes" instead of "change or changes"?

If the context strongly suggests that multiple alterations are likely or being discussed, using just "changes" is more concise. For example, "The project requires several changes" is preferable to "The project requires a "change or changes"" if multiple changes are indeed needed.