changed its story

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "changed its story" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a situation where someone or something has altered their account or explanation of events. Example: "After the investigation, the witness changed its story, leading to further scrutiny of the case."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

It changed its story, saying reporters had confused Merkel with Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite, who had been spied on c.

Huffington Post

The insurer has changed its story since it revealed the plan on Monday.

Forbes

Then, a day later, MicroStrategy changed its story, saying it had violated sales-recognition rules on the books for 2 1/2 years.

Forbes

The US military itself has repeatedly changed its story, making it difficult to nail down specific details. .

Vice

David Cameron said on Monday it was "concerning" that the BBC effectively changed its story about why it dropped the Newsnight report on Savile.

The Guardian

The developments were "concerning because the BBC has effectively changed its story about why it dropped the Newsnight programme about Jimmy Savile".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Would Mr. Brooks be taking this line if the administration had not been forced to change its story?

The New York Times

Later, the bank would change its story, blaming the mix-up on putting a stop on the couple's check, CBS Los Angeles reports.

Huffington Post

Since the row blew up, the Sun has changed its website story to include a hyperlink to the original Q&A as reported by Ahmad, which can be found here.

The Guardian

Why would the intelligence community in particular change its story so dramatically?

Huffington Post

Game devs flocked to Facebook, but soon it changed its news feed so game stories would only appear to other gamers.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "changed its story", ensure that the context clearly indicates who or what entity is altering their narrative. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that something "changed its story" without explaining why or how the story changed. Providing specific details adds credibility and prevents your writing from sounding vague or accusatory.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "changed its story" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as the predicate of a sentence. It indicates an action of altering a previous account or explanation. Ludwig AI examples illustrate its use in describing shifts in narratives from various entities.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "changed its story" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression, primarily found in news and media contexts. It serves to highlight shifts in narratives or inconsistencies in accounts, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. When employing this phrase, clarity is key; ensure the context clearly identifies the subject modifying their narrative and, if possible, the reasons behind the alteration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

altered its version of events

Focuses on a modified account of what happened.

revised its narrative

Highlights a rewritten or updated account.

modified its statement

Emphasizes a change in an official declaration.

adjusted its account

Stresses a slight alteration to a given explanation.

backtracked on its claims

Indicates a retreat from previous assertions.

contradicted its earlier statements

Highlights inconsistencies with previous declarations.

gave a different explanation

Focuses on providing an alternative rationale.

presented a new version

Emphasizes the introduction of an updated account.

offered a revised perspective

Focuses on presenting a modified viewpoint.

shifted its position

Indicates a change in stance or viewpoint.

FAQs

How can I use "changed its story" in a sentence?

You can use "changed its story" to indicate that someone or something has altered their account or explanation of events. For example: "After the new evidence emerged, the witness "changed its story"."

What can I say instead of "changed its story"?

Alternatives to "changed its story" include "altered its version of events", "revised its narrative", or "modified its statement", depending on the context.

Which is correct: "changed its story" or "changed their story"?

The correct phrase depends on whether you are referring to a singular entity (like a company or organization) or multiple individuals. Use "changed its story" for a singular entity and "changed their story" for multiple individuals.

What's the difference between "changed its story" and "retracted its statement"?

"Changed its story" implies an alteration in the details of an account, while "retracted its statement" means that a statement was withdrawn or taken back completely.