make a few adjustments

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make a few adjustments" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to minor changes or modifications that need to be made to something. Example: "Before we finalize the report, we need to make a few adjustments to the data presentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

I just need to make a few adjustments.

The New York Times - Sports

If only we could all make a few adjustments to the past in the light of what we later learn.

Independent

I tried to make a few adjustments and change my shot a little bit and get a better rhythm.

The New York Times - Sports

He hopes the House can make a few adjustments, within his broader criteria for an acceptable framework, and bring that bill to the floor.

The Guardian

(His TED Talk, "The History of Our World in 18 Minutes," has been viewed more than four million times online). Since introducing the course to high-school students, he and Gates realized that they needed to make a few adjustments to help it catch on.

The New York Times - Magazine

To try to make sure vancomycin can beat those resistant bacteria, and stay effective for the next few decades—a reasonable lifetime for an antibiotic chemists Dale Boger, Nicholas Isley and Akinori Okano at the Scripps Research Institute in California opened up the hood to make a few adjustments to the molecule.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

He made a few adjustments, but not many since Sundance.

The New York Times

"I asked Kerry Collins, 'You like this?' I made a few adjustments.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Obama signed off on the initial outline, after making a few adjustments.

The New York Times - Tech

He made a few adjustments, including the addition of blinkers, which cut down distractions by restricting a horse's vision.

The New York Times - Sports

She asked the festival crew what the problem was, made a few adjustments to her material and stormed the following night.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make a few adjustments" when you need to indicate that minor changes or modifications are required, but not a complete overhaul. It implies a degree of flexibility and fine-tuning rather than a major reconstruction.

Common error

While "make a few adjustments" is widely understood, it might sound too casual for highly formal or technical documents. In those situations, consider using phrases like "implement minor modifications" or "perform necessary calibrations" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make a few adjustments" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of making minor modifications or alterations. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, it's used to describe the process of refining something to improve its functionality or suitability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make a few adjustments" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate the need for minor modifications. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable across various contexts, although perhaps less fitting in highly formal or technical environments. The phrase's neutral register and broad applicability contribute to its common usage in news, general articles, and professional communications. When needed, alternatives like ""make some minor changes"" or "implement several tweaks" can provide nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make some minor changes

Replaces "few adjustments" with "some minor changes", emphasizing the small scale of the alterations.

make slight modifications

Substitutes "adjustments" with "modifications" and specifies them as "slight", reinforcing the subtlety of the changes.

make a couple of refinements

Replaces "few adjustments" with "a couple of refinements", focusing on improvements and enhancements.

tweak some parameters

Uses more technical language, implying the adjustment of specific settings or variables.

implement several tweaks

Uses "tweaks" to indicate small, targeted adjustments, and "several" suggests a slightly larger number.

alter a few details

Highlights the modification of specific, often small, elements.

fine-tune some aspects

Emphasizes precision and optimization in the adjustments being made.

make a number of small fixes

Emphasizes the corrective nature and small scale of the adjustments.

revise a few things

Suggests a more general review and alteration of unspecified elements.

make a handful of corrections

Focuses on rectifying errors or inaccuracies through minor changes.

FAQs

How can I use "make a few adjustments" in a sentence?

You can use "make a few adjustments" when you want to indicate that something needs minor changes. For example, "We need to "make a few adjustments" to the budget before the meeting".

What are some alternatives to "make a few adjustments"?

Alternatives include "make some minor changes", "tweak some parameters", or "make slight modifications", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "make a few adjustments" or "make several adjustments"?

The choice depends on the number of adjustments needed. "Make a few adjustments" suggests a small number, while "make several adjustments" implies a larger quantity, though still not a complete overhaul.

What's the difference between "make a few adjustments" and "make major changes"?

"Make a few adjustments" implies minor modifications, while "make major changes" indicates significant alterations. If you're only tweaking something, use ""make a few adjustments""; if you're overhauling something, use "make major changes".