made subtle changes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "made subtle changes" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing minor adjustments or modifications that have been implemented in a particular context, such as a document, design, or process. Example: "After reviewing the feedback, the team made subtle changes to the presentation to enhance clarity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

For most faces, the software made subtle changes, with the person's essence and character largely intact.

The New York Times

Groh has, according to Testaverde, made subtle changes to practices and scheduling, but there has been no dramatic gesture to put his own stamp on the team.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Meeker and Mr. Montalbano made subtle changes, opening up the interiors of the letters, making the descenders on letters like "g" and "y" sharper and redrawing all the letters to make them thinner.

The New York Times

It made subtle changes, like slightly increasing the vignetting, adding a little bit of contrast, saturating the colors a little more, and slightly smoothing the skin of the subject: small changes that added up to a noticeable improvement.

The New York Times

Ms. Kidman didn't deviate from the text, but made subtle changes in her inflection, giving the moment, in which she reveals that she no longer wants to attend a support group for grieving parents, a tinge of sadness or bitter resignation.

The New York Times

Apple has made subtle changes to the design of these cables a few times, but the problem never really seems to go away.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

It's about making subtle changes in his game.

The New York Times

"They're trying to make subtle changes and be the good guys," he said.

The New York Times

With those passengers in mind, software companies have been trying to make subtle changes that will not anger advertisers.

The New York Times

Hutley writes all the scripts himself, making subtle changes each year, and he's as faithful as he can be to the Gospel text.

Independent

And what really communicates emotion may not be melody or rhythm, but moments when musicians make subtle changes to the those musical patterns.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing revisions, use "made subtle changes" to convey that the core essence or character remains largely unaffected.

Common error

Avoid using "made subtle changes" when the revisions significantly alter the original content or design. Use stronger terms like "transformed" or "revamped" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made subtle changes" typically functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action performed on something, typically a design, document, or process. As shown in Ludwig, it emphasizes that modifications were implemented but that these changes were not drastic.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "made subtle changes" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe minor adjustments or modifications. Ludwig indicates that it is often found in News & Media contexts, as well as in Wiki. It's a versatile phrase suitable for both formal and informal writing, though more formal alternatives exist. Remember to reserve this expression for situations where alterations are truly subtle, and to avoid overstating the impact of the changes. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

implemented slight modifications

Replaces "made" with "implemented" and "subtle changes" with "slight modifications", focusing on the action of applying the changes.

introduced minor adjustments

Uses "introduced" instead of "made" and "minor adjustments" for "subtle changes", emphasizing the act of bringing the adjustments into effect.

effected delicate alterations

Replaces "made" with "effected" and uses more formal language with "delicate alterations", suggesting a refined process.

applied nuanced modifications

Uses "applied" for "made" and "nuanced modifications" instead of "subtle changes", highlighting the fine details of the changes.

instituted gradual revisions

Emphasizes the process of putting the changes into effect over time, replacing "made" with "instituted" and "subtle" with "gradual."

carried out slight alterations

Focuses on the execution of the changes, replacing "made" with "carried out" and keeping the sense of small adjustments.

undertook delicate refinements

Highlights the careful and precise nature of the changes, with "undertook" replacing "made" and "delicate refinements" used for "subtle changes".

brought about minor shifts

Focuses on the result of the changes, replacing "made" with "brought about" and using "minor shifts" for "subtle changes".

executed incremental modifications

Stresses the step-by-step nature of the changes, with "executed" replacing "made" and "incremental modifications" highlighting the gradual aspect.

enacted gentle improvements

Highlights the positive and mild impact of the changes, replacing "made" with "enacted" and using "gentle improvements" for "subtle changes".

FAQs

How can I use "made subtle changes" in a sentence?

You can use "made subtle changes" to describe minor adjustments or modifications that have been implemented. For example, "After reviewing the initial draft, the editor "made subtle changes" to improve clarity".

What can I say instead of "made subtle changes"?

You can use alternatives like "implemented slight modifications", "introduced minor adjustments", or "effected delicate alterations" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "made subtle changes" in formal writing?

Yes, "made subtle changes" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly when you need to convey that the changes were minor and didn't fundamentally alter the subject. However, in highly formal contexts, consider alternatives like "applied nuanced modifications".

What's the difference between "made subtle changes" and "made significant changes"?

"Made subtle changes" indicates minor adjustments that don't drastically alter the original, while "made significant changes" suggests more substantial alterations that have a noticeable impact. It's crucial to use the appropriate phrase based on the actual extent of the changes.