needs alteration

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "needs alteration" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something requires changes or modifications. Example: "The document is well-written, but it needs alteration to fit the new guidelines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Also, I have a family that needs alteration".

The New Yorker

Now, even Sallie Mae, tired of being a punching bag for consumer advocates and hoping to avoid changes that would hurt its business too severely, has agreed that the law needs alteration.

The New York Times

In fact, polls also show that a majority of Americans think the health-care system needs alteration.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

They need me, because they need alteration.

The New Yorker

The OFT concludes that the RBS sell-off, codenamed Rainbow, does not need alteration.

The Guardian - Business

Since detailed upfront planning is required by the standards, the standards would need alteration.

EURASIP Journal on Embedded Systems

Unfortunately, I spent much of the experience in my head trying to guesstimate time and figure out which aspects of the rest of my night would need alteration.

Vice

Several times in the development process, Diamante became so attached to a piece of music that needed alteration that he composed a new piece to replace it.

Wikipedia

Some may believe that the conventional approach of policing employees has stood the test of time and does not need alteration.

BMC Health Services Research

In addition to these adjustments, the routine of providing a contraceptive method at the time of follow-up needed alteration in the home-based assessment group since they no longer presented in the clinic.

BMC Women's Health

In practice, we have addressed this by means of configuration data for syndrome categories read from a text file as the application loads, so the application code itself does not need alteration.

BMC Public Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "needs alteration", ensure the context clearly indicates what requires changing and why. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "needs alteration" without specifying what exactly needs to be altered. For example, instead of saying "This needs alteration", specify: "This design needs alteration to better reflect the brand."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "needs alteration" functions as a verb phrase where "needs" acts as a transitive verb requiring a noun (alteration) as its object. According to Ludwig, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English, indicating that something requires changes or modifications.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "needs alteration" is a grammatically sound and usable expression in English, indicating a requirement for modification or change. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is often used to point out that something isn't in its final or desired state. While its frequency is uncommon, it appears across diverse contexts, including news, science, and general writing. For clarity, it's best practice to specify what requires alteration and why, avoiding vague references. Alternatives like "requires modification" or "demands adjustment" can be used for variety or to emphasize specific nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

requires modification

Emphasizes the necessity of making changes to improve functionality or suitability.

demands adjustment

Highlights the urgency and importance of making the required changes.

calls for revision

Indicates that the current state necessitates a review and subsequent modifications.

could use some tweaking

Suggests minor adjustments are needed for optimization.

would benefit from changes

Implies improvements can be achieved through modifications.

is in need of refinement

Focuses on improving the quality and precision through adjustments.

requires some improvement

Highlights the need for general enhancement.

should be amended

Implies the need for formal corrections or additions.

must be reworked

Suggests more substantial changes and a new approach are necessary.

warrants adaptation

Indicates that changes are required to suit a new purpose or condition.

FAQs

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

Use "needs alteration" to indicate that something requires modifications. For example, "The contract needs alteration before it can be signed".

What are some alternatives to "needs alteration"?

Alternatives include "requires modification", "demands adjustment", or "calls for revision". Choose the alternative that best fits the context.

Is it better to say "needs alteration" or "requires changes"?

"Needs alteration" and "requires changes" are similar, but "needs alteration" often implies a more specific or tailored modification. The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "needs alteration" and "needs improvement"?

"Needs alteration" suggests modifying something to fit a specific purpose or requirement, while "needs improvement" indicates a general requirement for enhancement or betterment.