minor alteration

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "minor alteration" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small or insignificant change made to something, such as a document, design, or plan. Example: "The report was approved after a minor alteration to the conclusion section."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

It's a minor alteration of language that bespeaks a deep shift in perception.

The New York Times - Books

Certainly its authors noticed: they sued the rapper who, at first, claimed his minor alteration of the notes constituted a new composition.

The Guardian - Music

Around this time, when he was travelling on business trips across Europe and the war was raging back at home, he decided to change his name from Buturovic to Butorovic, a minor alteration, but one which he figured would bring him greater respect when he stayed in grand western hotels.

The Guardian - Sport

Using an aerial survey of the 325-acre park in a valley owned by his family (and with his father's blessing), Mr. Vaill laid out a plan for a 1.53-mile road-racing course that remains in its original form except for a minor alteration that made the track safer.

The New York Times - Sports

It seems clear that therapies modulating a single target yield nothing but minor alteration of a diseases complex machinery.

Journal of Cheminformatics

Very slow reactivity and minor alteration of the clay are predicted in the Ca(OH 2-bentonite system.

Cement and Concrete Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

This process did not alter the topics being covered, but resulted in some minor alterations in wording.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

But there are times when these seemingly minor altercations escalate.

The New York Times - Health

Israel has made several minor alterations to the barrier.

The New York Times

This article was amended by the author with minor alterations at 16:00 BST on 24 September 2010.

The Guardian - Opinion

His actors are performing a traditional translation by Ralph Gladstone with only minor alterations.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing changes, use "minor alteration" to indicate that the change is not significant and does not fundamentally alter the subject.

Common error

Avoid using "minor alteration" when the change is actually substantial. Using it incorrectly can mislead the audience about the extent of the modification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "minor alteration" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. It describes a change that is not significant or substantial. Ludwig provides examples where it modifies nouns such as language, notes, and structure.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

32%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "minor alteration" is a noun phrase denoting a small, insignificant change. Ludwig AI validates that this phrase is correct and commonly used across various domains, primarily in scientific and news contexts. It serves the purpose of indicating that a modification doesn't substantially impact the subject. When using this phrase, ensure the change you're describing truly is minor to avoid misleading your audience. Consider alternatives like "slight modification" or "small adjustment" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight modification

Replaces "alteration" with "modification" and "minor" with "slight", emphasizing the small degree of change.

small adjustment

Substitutes both "minor" and "alteration" with synonyms that convey a sense of slight adjustment.

slight adjustment

Replaces 'alteration' with 'adjustment', keeping 'slight' as a synonym for 'minor'.

minimal change

Uses "minimal" to emphasize how small the change is.

negligible change

Highlights the insignificance of the change using the adjective "negligible".

small-scale change

Specifies that the change is on a small scale.

trivial adjustment

Emphasizes the unimportance of the adjustment using the term "trivial".

modest revision

Replaces "alteration" with "revision" and "minor" with "modest", both indicating a small-scale change.

inconsequential adjustment

Uses 'inconsequential' to highlight the lack of significance of the adjustment.

subtle variation

Highlights the unobtrusive nature of the change.

FAQs

How can I use "minor alteration" in a sentence?

You can use "minor alteration" to describe a small or insignificant change made to something. For example: "The design was approved after a "minor alteration" to the color scheme."

What are some alternatives to "minor alteration"?

Alternatives to "minor alteration" include "slight modification", "small adjustment", or "negligible change".

Is "minor alteration" the same as "major change"?

No, "minor alteration" refers to a small, often insignificant change, while "major change" implies a substantial and significant modification.

When is it appropriate to use the term "minor alteration"?

Use "minor alteration" when you want to emphasize that a change is small and does not significantly impact the overall outcome or functionality. It's suitable when the change is more of a refinement than a fundamental shift.