minor alterations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "minor alterations" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used when referring to small changes or adjustments made to something, such as a document, a piece of clothing, or a plan. These changes are not significant enough to warrant a major overhaul or revision, but are still important enough to be mentioned. Example sentence: "After reviewing the design, the architect made a few minor alterations to improve the flow of the building."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Minor alterations of handholes, manholes, or vaults.

Cornell University

Israel has made several minor alterations to the barrier.

The New York Times

After minor alterations, the couple moved in last September.

The New York Times

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

The New York Times - Arts

Despite such minor alterations, Xu said, the goal was to faithfully re-create the past.

The New Yorker

By Ryan Lizza Obama's strategy worked, with only minor alterations, throughout the campaign.

The New Yorker

(He made a few minor alterations so that it would look more authentic).

The New Yorker

Their implant was first inserted in 1970 and is still used today, with some minor alterations.

The Guardian

With minor alterations, Nascar still uses the framework of the system developed by Latford, who died in 2003.

The New York Times - Sports

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

The Guardian - Opinion

Yet performances in Boston continued with Ms. Zuber's costumes, with minor alterations; there was no time to replace them.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "minor alterations" to accurately represent changes that are small in scope and do not fundamentally alter the subject.

Common error

Avoid using "minor alterations" when the changes made are substantial or significantly impact the outcome. Reserve it for truly small-scale modifications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "minor alterations" functions as a noun phrase, often used as the object of a preposition or verb. It describes changes that are not substantial. Ludwig's examples show its use in various contexts, from design modifications to adjustments in medical treatments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "minor alterations" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe small changes or adjustments made to something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for use across various registers, though most frequently found in news, media, and scientific contexts. The phrase conveys that the modifications are not significant enough to cause a fundamental change. When writing, remember to use it only when the changes truly are small in scope to avoid overstating their importance. Alternative phrases like "slight modifications" or "small adjustments" can be used for semantic variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight modifications

Emphasizes the small scale of the changes made.

small adjustments

Focuses on the act of adjusting something to a better state.

minor adjustments

Focuses on the act of adjusting with a similar modifier.

slight revisions

Highlights the act of reviewing and amending something slightly.

small modifications

Emphasizes the limited scope of the modifications made.

slight adjustments

Highlights the act of slightly adjusting something.

minor revisions

Highlights the small nature of the revisions.

small refinements

Focuses on the subtle improvements made.

slight tweaks

Suggests very small and quick changes.

minor touch-ups

Refers to superficial or cosmetic changes.

FAQs

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

You can use "minor alterations" to describe small changes made to something. For example, "The design was approved with only "minor alterations".".

What are some alternatives to saying "minor alterations"?

Alternatives include "slight modifications", "small adjustments", or "minor revisions" depending on the context.

Which is correct: "minor alterations" or "small alterations"?

Both "minor alterations" and "small alterations" are grammatically correct and largely interchangeable, though "minor alterations" is the more frequently used phrase.

What's the difference between "minor alterations" and "major changes"?

"Minor alterations" refer to small, insignificant changes, while "major changes" indicate significant, impactful modifications that substantially alter the subject.