substantially alter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantially alter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing significant changes or modifications to something, such as a document, plan, or situation. Example: "The new regulations will substantially alter the way businesses operate in the industry."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Livestock can substantially alter plant communities.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Peering into this void could substantially alter the scope of historic preservation itself.

The New York Times

The peripheral aspects and presentation techniques do not substantially alter the main theme.

The New York Times

Finally, he admitted, the mistakes did not substantially alter the initial tally.

The New Yorker

She buys in bulk, and metal wholesalers don't substantially alter their prices when the market shifts.

The New Yorker

The ability to substantially alter the basic structure of life is the real revolution.

The New York Times

Because of the building's historic designation, Mr. Tankel could not substantially alter the bank's exterior.

The New York Times

"We can very substantially alter the course of the epidemic if we scale up interventions rapidly and aggressively".

The New York Times

Diet may substantially alter prostate cancer initiation and progression.

Contemporary Clinical Trials

Glutamic acid was found to substantially alter the biomass of Monascus M1.

AMB Express

Delays for either the train or highway vehicles did not substantially alter the key findings.

Urban Rail Transit

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "substantially alter", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being changed and the degree of the alteration. Use it to emphasize the importance or significance of the change.

Common error

Avoid using "substantially alter" when the change is minor or superficial. This phrase implies a significant transformation, so ensure the degree of change warrants such strong language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantially alter" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a significant change or modification. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "substantially alter" is a versatile and frequently used expression that indicates a significant change or modification. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability across various domains, including Science, News & Media, and Formal & Business settings. While alternatives like "significantly modify" or "greatly change" exist, "substantially alter" remains a robust choice for emphasizing the importance of a transformation. Remember to use it judiciously, ensuring that the context warrants the implication of a major change.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significantly modify

Replaces "alter" with "modify" and "substantially" with "significantly", emphasizing the degree of change.

greatly change

Uses "change" instead of "alter" and "greatly" for "substantially", focusing on the resulting transformation.

considerably transform

Employs "transform" to highlight a more dramatic change and "considerably" as a substitute for "substantially".

markedly revise

Replaces "alter" with "revise", indicating a careful change or correction, with "markedly" stressing the degree.

fundamentally reshape

Suggests a change to the core structure using "reshape", with "fundamentally" emphasizing the basic level of alteration.

noticeably adjust

Emphasizes a visible change using "noticeably" and a correction using "adjust", rather than a complete transformation.

appreciably affect

Shifts focus to the impact of the change rather than the change itself, using "affect" and "appreciably".

extensively remodel

Highlights a thorough reconstruction using "remodel", with "extensively" indicating the scope of the changes.

majorly impact

Uses simpler terms to convey a significant influence, with "majorly" emphasizing the extent of the impact.

largely influence

Focuses on the influence a change has, rather than the change itself, using "largely" to denote a significant effect.

FAQs

What does "substantially alter" mean?

The phrase "substantially alter" means to change something to a considerable or significant degree. It implies that the change is not minor but has a major impact or effect.

What are some alternatives to "substantially alter"?

You can use alternatives like "significantly modify", "greatly change", or "considerably transform" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "slightly alter"?

While grammatically correct, "slightly alter" suggests a minor change. If the change is significant, "substantially alter" is more appropriate. For minor changes, consider alternatives like "slightly adjust" or "marginally modify".

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

For example: "The new evidence could "substantially alter" the outcome of the trial" or "Diet may "substantially alter" prostate cancer initiation and progression".