has altered slightly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has altered slightly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a minor change or adjustment that has occurred in a situation, object, or concept. Example: "The design of the product has altered slightly to improve user experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Johnson's appearance has altered slightly since he was in England when he still managed to take 20 Test wickets at 32 runs each.

Independent

But when the practitioners at the teacher end of it are handed the information after it has been rendered near meaningless by a series of sieves over many years, and that information is presented to us as yet another top-down dictate that the acceptable, state-approved version of teaching has altered slightly, then that day looks a long way off.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

We track the passing of years by noticing that cellphones have become smaller and fashions have altered slightly.

The New York Times

Like many other county residents whose shopping interests and habits have altered slightly this season, Ms. Greenberg's concerns reflect still another shift in the post-Sept.

The New York Times

However, this is likely to have altered slightly over the last year, because a drought in ketamine has tripled prices in some areas.

Vice

Note: Minecraft mob specifications have altered slightly and some mobs (witches) now require a minimum 26 block drop for death to occur.

WikiHow

After working with putting guru Dave Stockton, he has altered his set-up slightly, firmed up his left wrist, and solidified his stroke.

The New Yorker

The venue system from the original game has been altered slightly and has the band traveling geographically from town to town in order to play at the next arena.

Wikipedia

While her design has been altered slightly as the series has progressed, the concept has remained consistent throughout the series, with the exception of the removal of the glove in later designs.

Wikipedia

The chemistry has altered.

The New Yorker

She had altered this slightly and read it as if all the inane hints applied to men.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has altered slightly" to indicate a change that doesn't fundamentally transform the subject, but introduces a noticeable difference. This can be particularly useful in technical or scientific writing where precision is key.

Common error

Avoid using "has altered slightly" when the change is significant or transformative. This phrase is best reserved for situations where the modification is subtle and does not drastically change the nature of the subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has altered slightly" functions as a stative verb phrase, indicating a state of being that has undergone a minor change. Ludwig shows the phrase in contexts where an object, concept, or plan experiences a subtle modification.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has altered slightly" is a grammatically sound way to express that something has undergone a minor change. Ludwig confirms the phrase's correctness and provides examples from news, wiki and science. While the frequency of the phrase is rare, it can be deployed in multiple contexts. When deploying this phrase, ensure you are describing a genuine minor adjustment rather than a radical transformation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been modified marginally

Replaces 'altered' with 'modified' and 'slightly' with 'marginally', emphasizing the small degree of change.

has shifted subtly

Uses 'shifted' to suggest a change in direction or position, and 'subtly' to denote the minor nature of the change.

has changed incrementally

Employs 'changed' as a general term for alteration, and 'incrementally' to highlight the gradual nature of the change.

has been adjusted a bit

Replaces 'altered' with 'adjusted' to indicate a deliberate change, and 'slightly' with the more informal 'a bit'.

has evolved imperceptibly

Indicates a gradual and subtle development over time, almost unnoticeable.

has experienced a minor adjustment

Uses a more formal tone and structure, replacing 'altered' with 'adjustment' and 'slightly' with 'minor'.

has seen a subtle variation

Replaces 'altered' with 'variation', focusing on the difference rather than the act of changing, and maintains the subtlety.

has undergone a slight modification

Similar to "has experienced a minor adjustment" but uses 'modification' instead, adding a technical nuance.

has become somewhat different

Simplifies the phrase to express a general change, though still indicating a degree of difference.

has morphed gradually

Indicates a transformation over time, emphasizing the gradual and subtle nature of the change.

FAQs

How can I use "has altered slightly" in a sentence?

You can use "has altered slightly" to describe a minor change or adjustment that has occurred. For example: "The company's policy "has altered slightly" due to recent events".

What are some alternatives to "has altered slightly"?

Alternatives include "has changed slightly", "has been modified marginally", or "has shifted subtly". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "has altered slightly" instead of "has changed significantly"?

"Has altered slightly" is appropriate when the change is minor and doesn't fundamentally affect the subject. "Has changed significantly" should be used when the alteration is substantial and results in a noticeable difference or transformation.

Is "has altered slightly" formal or informal?

"Has altered slightly" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal or scientific writing, you might consider more precise alternatives like "has undergone a slight modification".