needs to be altered

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

The whole system needs to be altered.

The Guardian

"We don't know" whether anyone's given degree of pronation needs to be altered, he says.

The New York Times

Many Muslims say American policy favors Israelis over Palestinians and needs to be altered before sentiments will change.

The New York Times

The judgment in effect says the police acted within the existing law, but the law itself needs to be altered.

The Guardian

The curriculum for preparing education leaders needs to be altered, and its design could profit from cooperation among business schools, the military, social scientists and educators.

The New York Times

The commission has a mandate to consider whether the universal banking model – where retail and "casino" investment arms sit alongside each other – needs to be altered to avoid another taxpayer bailout.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

The sculpture, he said, needed "to be altered, and had to still look like Teddy Roosevelt".

The New York Times

Mr. Emerson said Alabama's execution procedure was similar to Tennessee's, and thus needed to be altered.

The New York Times

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

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.

The Guardian

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.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "needs to be altered", ensure the context clearly indicates what aspect requires modification. Be specific rather than vague to improve clarity.

Common error

While generally acceptable, avoid using "needs to be altered" in highly formal or academic writing where more precise terms like "requires modification" or "demands revision" might be preferable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "needs to be altered" functions as a modal construction indicating necessity or requirement for change. Ludwig examples demonstrate its usage across various contexts, highlighting its role in expressing that something requires modification or adjustment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

32%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Social Media

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "needs to be altered" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something requires modification. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use spans across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and general writing. While generally acceptable, it's advisable to consider more formal alternatives like "requires modification" or "demands revision" in academic or strictly formal settings. Remember to clearly specify what "needs to be altered" to avoid ambiguity and enhance clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

requires modification

Focuses on the necessity of changing specific aspects.

must be changed

Emphasizes the obligation to make a change.

should be modified

Suggests a recommendation for change.

has to be adjusted

Highlights the need for fine-tuning or calibration.

demands revision

Stresses the critical need for a thorough review and correction.

requires adjustment

Similar to "has to be adjusted", but slightly broader in scope.

calls for modification

Emphasizes the need for a specific change, implying a recognized deficiency.

is in need of revision

Formally acknowledges the necessity of reworking something.

warrants a change

Indicates that a situation justifies an alteration.

could use some tweaking

Suggests minor improvements are necessary.

FAQs

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

You can use "needs to be altered" to indicate that something requires changes or modifications. For instance, "The company's policy on remote work "needs to be altered" to accommodate the growing number of employees working from home".

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

Alternatives include "requires modification", "must be changed", or "should be modified". The best choice depends on the specific context and the desired level of formality.

Is "needs to be altered" suitable for formal writing?

While "needs to be altered" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "demands revision" or "is in need of revision" might be preferred in strictly formal contexts. Always consider your audience and the tone of your writing.

Which is correct, "needs to be altered" or "need to be altered"?

"Needs to be altered" is correct when referring to a singular subject. "Need to be altered" is appropriate for plural subjects. For example, "The policy needs to be altered" versus "The policies need to be altered".