might alter that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "might alter that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing potential changes or modifications to a situation, decision, or plan. Example: "If we receive new information, it might alter that decision we made last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

At the moment, it's not known whether beginning to exercise after plaques have started to build up might alter that outcome, Dr. Head says.

The New York Times

So what might alter that precipitation pattern?

Science Magazine

It left the Toffees still searching for their first win at Anfield since September 1999 - and there was never any serious hope they might alter that miserable record on a night of Reds dominance.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

And nothing the Labour dominated select committee might decide will alter that conviction.

The Guardian

Hays had said certain pictures might alter "... that sacred thing, the mind of a child... that clean, virgin thing, that unmarked state" and have "the same responsibility, the same care about the thing put on it that the best clergyman or the most inspired teacher would have".

Wikipedia

Including interesting younger artists from the de Nagy stable like David True or Susanna Coffey might have altered that impression; but perhaps a drift toward conservatism is inevitable for any art institution that lasts very long.

The New York Times - Arts

Ironically, a pre-Alias fame Jennifer Garner, who later married Affleck, also in the movie as one of Beckinsale's Navy nurses, might have altered that equation had the casting gone differently.

Huffington Post

Rumination is a related maladaptive attentional strategy, defined as "a pattern of responding to distress in which an individual passively and perseveratively thinks about his or her upsetting symptoms and the causes and consequences of those symptoms, while failing to initiate the active problem solving that might alter the cause of that distress" (McLaughlin & Nolen-Hoeksema, 2011, p. 186).

Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice

Our working hypothesis was that in SAS patients the steady noise of a car engine might alter cognitive capacities that may be involved in driving, thus increasing the risk of traffic accidents.

Archivos de Bronconeumología

But that might alter when biotechnology delivers new enzymes that can make ethanol efficiently from just about any sort of plant material.

The Economist

Another theory is that surgery might alter the expression of genes that regulate glucose and fatty-acid metabolism.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "might alter that", ensure the context clearly indicates what "that" refers to, avoiding ambiguity for the reader. Using specific nouns instead of "that" will increase the understandability of the sentence.

Common error

Avoid using "might alter that" repeatedly in close proximity within your writing; vary your phrasing to maintain reader engagement. Consider using synonyms or rephrasing the sentence for greater clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "might alter that" functions as a verb phrase indicating a potential action. It suggests a possibility that something could modify or change a particular situation, decision, or plan. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "might alter that" is a grammatically sound expression used to denote a possibility of change. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Although relatively rare in overall usage, it appears in both scientific and news media contexts, maintaining a neutral register. To enhance clarity, ensure "that" has a clear referent, and consider diversifying your phrasing to avoid repetition. Alternative phrases such as "could modify that" or "may change that" offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could modify that

Replaces "might" with "could", suggesting a possibility but not necessarily a likelihood.

may change that

Substitutes "might" with "may", indicating a possibility with a slightly different level of certainty.

might affect that

Swaps "alter" with "affect", implying that there is a possibility of some change to happen.

could adjust that

Replaces "alter" with "adjust", implying a minor change rather than a major transformation.

could revise that

Changes "alter" to "revise", implying a thoughtful review and potential modification.

may impact that

Changes "alter" to "impact", focusing on the potential effect or influence on the situation.

could influence that

Replaces "alter" with "influence", suggesting a subtle effect rather than a direct change.

might reshape that

Uses "reshape" instead of "alter", highlighting a change in form or structure.

might transform that

Replaces "alter" with "transform", suggesting a more significant and comprehensive change.

might reverse that

Uses "reverse" instead of "alter", indicating a change to the opposite state or direction.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "might alter that" to sound more formal?

In formal writing, you could replace "might alter that" with phrases like "could modify that" or "may impact that" to convey a similar meaning with a more sophisticated tone.

What's a simpler way to say "might alter that"?

For a simpler alternative, consider using phrases such as "could change that" or "may change that". These options are more direct and easily understood.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "might alter that"?

The phrase "might alter that" is suitable in contexts where you want to express a possibility that something could cause a change to a plan, outcome, or situation. It is useful in discussions, analyses, or scenarios where future events are uncertain.

Is "might alter that" different from "will alter that"?

Yes, "might alter that" indicates a possibility or a chance of change, whereas "will alter that" suggests a definite or certain change. The former implies uncertainty, while the latter expresses a higher degree of confidence in the change occurring.