it may alter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it may alter" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the possibility of change or modification in a situation, condition, or object. Example: "The new policy is still under review, and it may alter the way we conduct our meetings."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

India has indicated that it may alter its solar program to try to persuade the U.S. to drop the case.

Huffington Post

In its ruling, the WTO agreed that India's buy-local rules "accord less favorable treatment" to imported solar components, even while acknowledging that "imported cells and modules currently have a dominant share of the market for solar cells and modules in India". India has indicated that it may alter its solar program to try to persuade the U.S. to drop the case.

HuffPost

Although its functional significance is currently unknown, it may alter the transcriptional activation of the receptor (as is the case for the androgen receptor CAG repeat polymorphism), and hence it may affect breast cancer susceptibility through altered sensitivity to hormones [ 5].

Breast Cancer Research

Although RGC death cannot directly explain the altered segregation pattern in the mutant mice, it may alter the molecular gradients or retinal activity levels in the Chrnb2−/− mutant retina that lead to this developmental aberration.

Plosone

Since the APOA5 −1131T>C polymorphism is located in the promoter region of APOA5, it may alter the APOA5 expression and impair its function, and cooperative effects between APOA5 polymorphisms cannot be excluded.

BioMed Research International

It may either make the regulations or it may alter them.

Cornell University

Young did not know the rule existed when he entered Princeton in 1998, but it may alter his athletic career.

The New York Times - Sports

Or it may alter the way unit managers think about their businesses and their roles, for better or for worse.

Harvard Business Review

The amount of reinforcement utilised affects both the strength and deformation characteristics of the corresponding specimens, while it may alter the failure mode.

Construction and Building Materials

Article 50 has not yet been triggered and once details of the Brexit deal emerge it may alter the context of the independence debate".

The Guardian

The molecule is a normal component of cell membranes, but too much of it may alter the membranes and disrupt cell function, Dr. Schuchman said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it may alter", ensure the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to and what aspect is likely to be changed. This avoids ambiguity and makes your writing more precise.

Common error

Avoid using "it may alter" excessively in passive constructions. Active voice often makes your writing more direct and engaging. For instance, instead of "the regulations may be altered by the committee", write "the committee may alter the regulations".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it may alter" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing possibility or potential. It indicates that something has the capacity to change or modify something else, but the outcome is not certain. Ludwig AI confirms the usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Academia

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it may alter" is a versatile and commonly used expression to suggest a potential change or modification. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and appropriate for various contexts, particularly in science, news, and business writing. While alternatives like "it could change" or "it might modify" exist, "it may alter" maintains a neutral to formal tone. Remember to use active voice where possible for more direct and engaging writing. With numerous examples and authoritative sources, "it may alter" stands as a valuable tool for nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it could change

Replaces "may" with "could", suggesting a slightly lower probability.

it might modify

Substitutes "may" with "might" and "alter" with "modify", implying a potential adjustment.

it can transform

Uses "can" instead of "may" and "transform" instead of "alter", indicating a possible significant change.

it may adjust

Replaces "alter" with "adjust", suggesting a minor modification.

it could reshape

Substitutes "may" with "could" and "alter" with "reshape", implying a significant alteration to form or structure.

it might revise

Uses "might" instead of "may" and "revise" instead of "alter", suggesting a possible correction or improvement.

it can influence

Replaces "may" with "can" and "alter" with "influence", indicating a potential effect on something.

it may impact

Substitutes "alter" with "impact", implying a potential effect or influence.

it could affect

Uses "could" instead of "may" and "affect" instead of "alter", suggesting a potential influence.

it might convert

Replaces "may" with "might" and "alter" with "convert", indicating a change into a different form.

FAQs

How can I use "it may alter" in a sentence?

You can use "it may alter" to suggest a possible change or modification. For example: "The new evidence is significant; "it may alter" our understanding of the event.".

What are some alternatives to "it may alter"?

Some alternatives include "it could change", "it might modify", or "it can transform", depending on the context and the degree of change you want to convey.

Is "it may alter" formal or informal?

"It may alter" is generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, you might consider using synonyms like "it could revise" for added sophistication.

What's the difference between "it may alter" and "it will alter"?

"It may alter" suggests a possibility, while "it will alter" indicates a certainty. The choice depends on the level of confidence you have about the change occurring.