small alterations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "small alterations" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to minor changes or adjustments made to something, such as a document, design, or plan. Example: "After reviewing the report, I made a few small alterations to improve clarity and accuracy."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Small alterations can have big effects.

The Economist

A fixed set undergoes small alterations for scene shifts; sly little jokes on perspective are played.

The New York Times - Arts

We can't make small alterations to our economy – we need fundamental changes in how we get and use energy".

The Guardian

This might seem like a harmless substitution, but small alterations in our language can mean a great deal.

The Guardian - Opinion

The changes are corrections of typographical errors and small alterations of language to address concerns the judge raised in court last Wednesday.

The New York Times

Robert B. Tierney, the commission chairman, said he expected the fees to range from $50 for small alterations to $600 for large ones.

The New York Times

That resulted in the discovery, by several groups of investigators in Iceland and the United States, of the gene variants, small alterations in gene sequences.

The New York Times

Take the map we just drew and make two small alterations: Mr. Obama holds onto Nevada, but loses Pennsylvania.

The New York Times

In a paper published online, Watson argues that all of the sentence fragments found on the papyrus fragment have been copied, sometimes with small alterations, from printed editions of the Gospel of Thomas.

The Guardian

There are some small alterations, some new names on the lists of suggested famous people, perhaps a tiny amount more emphasis on vocabulary, but essentially the aims and content of the new key stage 1 curriculum are very much like the old.

The Guardian

In Nezavisimaya Gazeta, a newspaper in Moscow that is often critical of the government, Yekaterina Barabash noted small alterations that Mr. Bortko made to Gogol's text, which she said served to transform a wild Cossack into a respectable patriot, suitable for wide distribution.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing changes, use "small alterations" to emphasize the subtle nature of the modifications without implying drastic transformation.

Common error

Avoid using "small alterations" when the changes are significant or transformative. This can downplay the importance of the modifications and mislead the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small alterations" typically functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. It describes the act of making minor modifications. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

43%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "small alterations" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for describing minor changes or modifications. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable. Its usage spans diverse contexts, from scientific publications to news articles, indicating its versatility. When writing, use this phrase to effectively communicate subtle changes while avoiding overstating the impact of these modifications. Consider related phrases like "minor adjustments" or "slight modifications" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor adjustments

Focuses on the act of adjusting, implying a more controlled change.

slight modifications

Highlights that the changes are subtle and barely noticeable.

small modifications

More generic synonym with a neutral connotation.

minor revisions

Generic synonym with a neutral connotation.

slight alterations

Highlights that the changes are subtle and barely noticeable.

tiny revisions

Emphasizes the diminutive scale of the revisions made.

slight corrections

Implies fixing something that was wrong, but only to a small extent.

small amendments

Suggests improvements or clarifications of a document or formal text.

minimal changes

Stresses how reduced or unnoticeable are these changes.

fine tunings

Suggests very precise and detailed adjustments.

FAQs

How can I use "small alterations" in a sentence?

You can use "small alterations" to describe minor changes made to something. For example: "The design required "small alterations" to improve its functionality."

What's a good substitute for "small alterations"?

Alternatives for "small alterations" include "minor adjustments", "slight modifications", or "tiny revisions", depending on the context.

Which is correct: "small alterations" or "minor changes"?

"Small alterations" and "minor changes" are both correct and can be used interchangeably in most contexts. The choice depends on your desired emphasis.

What's the difference between "small alterations" and "major changes"?

"Small alterations" refer to subtle, often barely noticeable changes, while "major changes" involve significant, impactful modifications that can substantially alter something.