it can be altered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it can be altered" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the possibility of changing or modifying something. Example: "The document is not final; it can be altered based on the feedback we receive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Because the station is a historic building, there are restrictions on how much it can be altered; to protect its original architectural integrity, signage has to be discreet, which means its not always easy to find.

The New York Times

The United States Olympic Committee submitted its roster Wednesday to the Athens Organizing Committee, but it can be altered up until Aug. 17.

The New York Times - Sports

"It can be altered by neglect.

Independent

It's too early to give up on the game — one of the benefits of a big virtual world like this is that it can be altered and improved over time.

The New York Times - Arts

If a pain can be demonstrated to be based on false beliefs then he believes that it can be altered or at the very least 'assuaged and reduced'.

SEP

These findings suggest that although texture is an inherent property of the soil, it can be altered by land use practices over a longer period of time (Schaetzl and Anderson 2005).

Environmental Systems Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

I've done my best to be creative in bucking social norms; I even spent 260 days driving around North America and wrote a book about my extroverted doctrine, Life's More Fun When You Talk to Strangers, to prove that "the way it is" can be altered into something spectacular if you are willing to break the normal binds of social interaction.

Huffington Post

The attraction for prisoners is that once Spice is smuggled in it is hard to detect because its chemical composition can be altered: it doesn't usually show up in prison drug tests.

BBC

With it, configuration parameters can be altered for new simulations without recompiling the entire simulator code.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

By "acute," it means processes that can be altered in a matter of seconds or perhaps minutes, involving the release of intracellular second messengers and rapid responses, such as altered phosphorylation, redox, and conformational states of proteins.

Advances in Molecular and Cell Biology

It's not clear they can be altered.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it can be altered", ensure the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to. This avoids ambiguity and improves clarity.

Common error

While "it can be altered" is grammatically sound, overuse of passive constructions can make your writing sound weak. Consider rewriting to emphasize the actor performing the alteration, if appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it can be altered" functions as a modal verb phrase, expressing the possibility or permissibility of modifying something. Ludwig AI affirms this through the examples provided, showing its wide application.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

46%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it can be altered" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that something is capable of being modified or changed. Ludwig AI's analysis reveals its versatility across various contexts, from news and media to scientific literature. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, writers should be mindful of the passive voice and ensure clarity by specifying what "it" refers to. Alternative phrases, such as "it can be modified" or "it is subject to change", can offer nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it can be modified

Replaces 'altered' with 'modified', indicating a change or adjustment.

it can be changed

Uses 'changed' instead of 'altered', suggesting a transformation.

it is subject to change

Emphasizes the potential for future modification.

it is possible to revise it

Highlights the feasibility of making revisions.

it can be adjusted

Suggests a slight alteration or fine-tuning.

it can be adapted

Focuses on modifying something to suit new conditions.

it can be reformed

Implies a significant change or improvement.

it can be reshaped

Indicates altering the form or structure.

it can be converted

Suggests transforming something into a different form.

it is amenable to modification

Expresses that something is receptive to being modified.

FAQs

How can I use "it can be altered" in a sentence?

You can use "it can be altered" to indicate that something is not fixed and is open to modifications. For example: "The plan is still in its early stages; "it can be altered" based on initial results".

What can I say instead of "it can be altered"?

You can use alternatives like "it can be modified", "it can be changed", or "it is subject to change" depending on the context.

Is "it can be altered" formal or informal?

"It can be altered" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The level of formality depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure.

What is the difference between "it can be altered" and "it must be altered"?

"It can be altered" implies possibility or permission to change something, while "it must be altered" implies necessity or obligation to change something.