rarely alter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rarely alter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that does not change often or is infrequently modified. Example: "The company's core values rarely alter, ensuring consistency in their mission and vision."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Individuals rarely alter the flow of a Morris work.

The Guardian

They argue that mainstream consumers rarely alter default settings.

The Guardian - Tech

Currency fluctuations rarely alter these long-term commitments, and profits stay abroad.

The New York Times

While Congress has wide latitude to change national monument designations, presidents rarely alter ones that are in place.

The Washington Post

Windthrow is a typical gap phrase disturbance that changes forest composition but rarely alter succession trajectories of a forest stand.

Forest Ecology and Management

As for why nobody had seen this before, Riedel-Kruse said people rarely alter light levels while observing Euglena under a microscope.

Stanford University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Achieving high recall may be difficult if some cancer genes are rarely altered, in which case an absence of statistically significant recurrence for a genetic alteration is not evidence that it lacks a functional effect.

Nature

But halftime rarely alters a Super Bowl's outcome.

The New York Times - Sports

They are often worked out by company founders and, once proven successful, rarely altered.

Harvard Business Review

In fact, they only rarely altered to closed rings during HS-AFM imaging even at high [ATP] (Supplementary Figure 16c).

Nature

Comment BTL rarely alters my viewpoint but I have learned an enormous amount from commenters links and their willingness to share their experience and knowledge.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rarely alter" when you want to convey that something maintains a consistent state and undergoes changes infrequently. This phrase is suitable for describing processes, policies, or characteristics that are stable over time.

Common error

Avoid using "rarely alter" when describing situations that are inherently dynamic or subject to frequent adjustments. Overusing this phrase in such contexts can create a perception of rigidity where flexibility is expected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rarely alter" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the infrequent nature of changes or modifications. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, supported by examples showcasing its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "rarely alter" is grammatically sound and used to express that something infrequently undergoes change. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not overly common, it appears in reputable sources like The Guardian and The New York Times. This phrase is suitable for neutral to professional contexts. Consider alternatives like "seldom change" or "infrequently modify" for similar meanings. Avoid overusing it in contexts that demand dynamism. The phrase is commonly found in Science and News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

infrequently modify

Emphasizes the act of modifying happening at a low frequency.

seldom change

Uses "seldom" which is a slightly more formal synonym for "rarely".

infrequently adjust

Focuses on the lack of frequent small changes or adjustments.

hardly ever transform

Replaces "alter" with "transform", implying a more significant change.

scarcely adjust

Suggests minor adjustments that happen infrequently.

barely modify

Emphasizes the small degree of modification that occurs.

almost never convert

Indicates that conversion occurs negligibly in time.

uncommonly revise

Implies a formal review or revision process that is not common.

unlikely to adjust

Expresses the improbability of changes being made.

does not often reshape

Rephrases the idea with "reshape" which suggests a significant change of form.

FAQs

How can I use "rarely alter" in a sentence?

You can use "rarely alter" to describe something that doesn't change often. For example, "The company's core values "rarely alter", ensuring consistency in their mission and vision."

What are some alternatives to "rarely alter"?

You can use alternatives like "seldom change", "infrequently modify", or "hardly ever transform" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "rarely alter" or "rarely change"?

Both "rarely alter" and "rarely change" are correct, but "alter" implies a more deliberate or significant modification, while "change" is more general. The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

What does "rarely adjust" mean and how does it relate to "rarely alter"?

"Rarely adjust" implies minor corrections or tweaks that don't happen often. "Rarely alter" suggests more significant modifications are infrequent. "Rarely adjust" focuses on fine-tuning, while "rarely alter" implies a more fundamental shift.