considerable alteration

USAGE SUMMARY

"considerable alteration" is correct and can be used in written English.
It refers to a significant or notable change or modification. Example: The architect proposed a considerable alteration to the original design of the building, which would add an extra floor and a rooftop garden.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

The electrode could be used for at least one month without a considerable alteration in its potential.

Electrochimica Acta

Holy Trinity Church, after undergoing considerable alteration in 1799, was well restored in the early 1900s and is one of the most impressive churches in Scotland.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Hot exoplanets with semi-major axes smaller than 0.05 AU can go considerable alteration from the high energy radiation of their host stars radiation from driving winds to altering the thermal profiles to disintegrating nearby planets.

Cornell University

Missions and isolation helped to preserve the several surviving Indian groups of northwest Mexico through the colonial period (1530 1810), but all underwent considerable alteration under the influence of European patterns.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Opencast coal mining activities trigger considerable alteration of soil structure, and characterizing the spatial variability of soil particle size distribution (PSD) quantitatively can contribute to understand mined soil properties and perform mined land rehabilitation.

Geoderma

Surprisingly, addition of organoclay to the blends promoted a drastic increase in the notched Izod impact strength and a considerable alteration of the shape of the dispersed EVA phase when the organoclay is located in this phase.

Polymer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

The heterogeneity of alveolar microstructure that is accounted for in image-based models resulted in considerable alterations to the shape of the 129Xe diffusive uptake curve when compared to 1D models.

Journal of Magnetic Resonance

The Borana rangelands have undergone considerable alterations between 1987 and 2003.

Ecological Processes

Strong increase of hole mobility and decrease of hole concentration have been observed in CrSi2 epitaxial films on Si(111) [3] that corresponds to considerable alterations in their band structure.

Nanoscale Research Letters

However, we did not find any considerable alterations in HAT activity with SFN treatment in these breast cells (Fig 5C).

Plosone

Given the functions of miRNAs in post-transcriptional gene silencing, loss of Dicer and all microRNAs would be expected to result in considerable alterations in mRNA levels and associated phenotypic changes.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair this phrase with verbs like "undergo", "require" or "cause" to create strong, formal sentences typical of academic writing.

Common error

Avoid using "alternation" (which means to switch back and forth) when you mean a change or modification. While they look similar, "considerable alteration" refers to a shift in state, whereas "considerable alternation" would imply a repetitive sequence between two different states.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "considerable alteration" functions as a complex noun phrase where the adjective "considerable" modifies the noun "alteration". According to Ludwig, it is frequently used as the object of a sentence (e.g. "showed considerable alteration") or following a preposition (e.g. "without a considerable alteration").

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

70%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

News & Media

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "considerable alteration" is a precise and sophisticated way to describe significant changes within a formal context. Ludwig AI demonstrates that it is a staple of scientific and academic discourse, particularly when discussing modifications to structures, chemical states or biological profiles. While it is synonymous with "considerable change", the term "alteration" carries a more technical nuance that implies a modification to an existing form. Writers should ensure they do not confuse it with "alternation" and should reserve its use for professional, technical or historical documentation where a neutral yet impactful tone is required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerable change

Uses a more general noun that is universally applicable across all registers

significant modification

Shifts to a more technical tone often used in engineering or software contexts

substantial revision

Implies a focused effort to update or correct a document, plan or theory

notable adjustment

Suggests a slightly smaller scale of change, often related to fine-tuning

major transformation

Indicates a more fundamental or dramatic shift in form or nature

extensive renovation

Specifically refers to the physical restoration or improvement of buildings

appreciable variance

A more statistical or scientific way to describe a measurable difference

marked difference

Focuses on the visible or perceptible result of the change rather than the process

drastic overhaul

Carries a much stronger intensity, suggesting a complete and urgent rebuild

serious distortion

Implies the change has had a negative or warping effect on the original

FAQs

How do I use "considerable alteration" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe physical or abstract changes, for example: "The historic church underwent "considerable alteration" during the 19th century."

Is "considerable alteration" formal?

Yes, it is a highly formal phrase. In casual conversation, people usually prefer to say "big change" or "a lot of changes".

What is the difference between "considerable alteration" and "significant change"?

While both mean a large shift, "significant change" is broader. "Considerable alteration" specifically suggests a modification or adjustment to an existing structure, plan or biological state.

Can I say "considerable modification" instead?

Yes, "considerable modification" is a perfectly valid and synonymous alternative, often used in engineering and technical manuals.