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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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need to be altered

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "need to be altered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something requires modification or change. Example: "The design of the website needs to be altered to improve user experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Pixels of the video need to be altered to create the watermark, and ideally, those alterations are invisible.

*Nuclear waste cleanup may need to be altered so the nation can "begin to gain some ground on the cleanup of these sites".

News & Media

The New York Times

Tony McNulty told a fringe meeting in Bournemouth that Britain's legal framework did not need to be altered to fight terror.

News & Media

The Guardian

Ethan Geto, a spokesman for Lightstone, said that the plans for the project already take into account significant flooding and will not need to be altered.

News & Media

The New York Times

This is a house that did not need to be altered; it is as close to thePlatonic idea of a modern beach house as can be.

News & Media

The New York Times

In other words, the more differences exist between non-infected and infected plants, the more TFs need to be altered to minimize differences between both transcriptomic profiles.

Science & Research

Nature

The results suggest that both methods give similar responses but also that both excitation methods need to be altered to allow effective fixed/total lengths to be estimated.

The approach taken fits well within the existing architecture of CADP which does not need to be altered to enable C program verification.

We found numerous ways in which the current conceptualizations and measures of beliefs about knowledge and knowing may need to be altered.

The momentum for further change is understood to have come from leading academy operators telling the DfE that rules urgently need to be altered to attract new sponsors.

News & Media

Independent

E.U. officials are expected to examine possible legal hurdles — particularly whether national budget laws would need to be altered — before a meeting of euro-zone finance ministers Monday.

News & Media

The New York Times
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "need to be altered", ensure that the reason for alteration is clear within the context. This helps the reader understand why the change is necessary and what outcome is expected.

Common error

Avoid stating something "need to be altered" without specifying what aspect needs changing. Always provide clear direction or justification for the required modifications, or the reader will have no idea on where to start the modification process.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

83%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "need to be altered" functions as a passive construction indicating a requirement for something to undergo modification or change. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, with numerous examples demonstrating its use across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "need to be altered" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that indicates the necessity for modification or change. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its presence across diverse sources—including news, scientific, and academic contexts—underscores its broad applicability. It is crucial to provide clarity regarding the specific aspects requiring alteration to avoid vagueness. While versatile, ensure that the term aligns with the intended level of formality in your writing. Consider alternatives like "require modification" or "must be changed" to vary your language while conveying the same core meaning.

FAQs

How can I use "need to be altered" in a sentence?

The phrase "need to be altered" is used to indicate that something requires modification or change. For example, "The document needs to be altered to reflect the new regulations.".

What are some alternatives to "need to be altered"?

You can use alternatives like "require modification", "must be changed", or "should be adjusted" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "need to be altered" or "needs to be altered"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "need to be altered" for plural subjects (e.g., "The plans need to be altered"). Use "needs to be altered" for singular subjects (e.g., "The plan needs to be altered").

What is the difference between "need to be altered" and "should be altered"?

"Need to be altered" implies a stronger necessity or requirement for change, while "should be altered" suggests a recommendation or suggestion for improvement. The choice depends on the context and the urgency of the alteration.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

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Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: