should be altered to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should be altered to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when suggesting a change or modification to something, such as a document, statement, or plan. Example: "The final report should be altered to reflect the latest data findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Statutes limiting lawsuits should be altered to recognize that these crimes emerge slowly.

The New York Times

I support this commitment, and I think the federal government's spending priorities should be altered to make it happen.

The New Yorker

She has also asked whether laws or practices should be altered to "prevent the recurrence of any failure identified by the inquiry".

The Guardian

Zoning rules should be altered to require that all new buildings harvest the rainwater that falls on their land and roofs.

The New York Times

Amelia Torres, a spokeswoman for Mr. Monti, said that the lengthy proposals also opened up the debate on whether the European test for a merger should be altered to more resemble that of the United States.

The New York Times

Chuck Hassebrook of the Center for Rural Affairs, a nonprofit advocacy group in Walthill, Neb., that works for family farms and rural communities, said today that the measure should be altered to make it fairer to cotton and rice.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

And he said the central bank's rules on what constituted acceptable collateral should not be altered to suit one country, only to change them to ensure that Greek bonds could be exchanged by banks for ECB cash.

The Economist

To this group, the law is purely instrumental — a tool of state power — and should not be altered to empower the citizenry and curtail the authority of the party.

The New York Times

Thus, Fig. 8 should either be altered to more meaningfully represent the paper's findings or, if the authors decide to re-write the paper in a more descriptive fashion, could be eliminated altogether.

F1000Research

Participants cautioned that these structures, including existing practices around union membership, should not be altered to the detriment of local health workers and Barbadian patients in order to accommodate an expanded medical tourism sector.

BMC Health Services Research

Motherwell will vote for a new 10-club Scottish Premier League - should the proposal be altered to reduce the immediate dangers to their own club.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "should be altered to", clearly state the reason for the alteration to provide context and justification for the proposed change.

Common error

Avoid using "should be altered to" excessively in passive constructions. Instead, consider using active voice to make your writing more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "The policy should be altered to include...", try "The committee should alter the policy to include...".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should be altered to" functions as a modal phrase indicating a recommendation or suggestion for modification. It implies that a change is advisable or necessary to achieve a specific goal or improvement. Ludwig AI provides examples of the phrase used in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

55%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "should be altered to" is a versatile expression used to recommend or suggest modifications across various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use in news, science, and formal business settings. While not overly formal, it maintains a professional tone suitable for diverse communication scenarios. Alternatives like "needs to be modified to" and "ought to be modified to" can be used to fine-tune the emphasis of the suggestion. When using this phrase, it is best practice to clarify the rationale behind the proposed alteration to ensure clear communication and promote effective decision-making.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

needs to be modified to

Emphasizes a requirement for change, often due to a specific need or problem.

ought to be modified to

Indicates a recommendation or moral imperative for change.

should be adapted for

Focuses on adjusting something to suit a specific purpose or condition.

needs to be adjusted to

Highlights the necessity of fine-tuning something for better performance or accuracy.

must be revised to

Stresses the importance of correcting or improving something, often due to errors or inadequacies.

has to be changed to

Indicates an obligation or unavoidable need for transformation.

should be transformed into

Suggests a complete alteration into a new form or state.

should be converted to

Implies changing something into a different format or system.

should be updated to

Suggests bringing something current or modern.

should be amended to

Refers to making minor changes or additions to improve accuracy or completeness.

FAQs

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

Use "should be altered to" when you want to suggest a specific modification. For example, "The contract "should be altered to" include a clause about intellectual property rights".

What are some alternatives to saying "should be altered to"?

You can use phrases like "needs to be modified to", "ought to be modified to", or "should be adapted for" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "should be altered to" or "must be altered to"?

"Should be altered to" suggests a recommendation, while "must be altered to" indicates a requirement. The choice depends on the context and the level of necessity. Consider using "must be revised to" when a strict change is needed.

When is it appropriate to use "should be altered to" in formal writing?

"Should be altered to" is suitable for formal writing when proposing changes in a professional or academic setting. Ensure that the suggestion is supported by evidence or reasoning to maintain credibility. It's appropriate in business documents or scientific reports when a specific action "should be amended to" meet the project requirements.