sweeping alteration

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sweeping alteration" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or extensive change in a particular context, such as policy, design, or structure. Example: "The company announced a sweeping alteration to its employee benefits program, aiming to improve overall satisfaction."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Instead of sweeping new powers that threatened sweeping alterations to British copyright law, the Lib Dems added a clause that gives extra oversight to the high court.

The Guardian - Tech

Albany needs sweeping change.

The New York Times

Sweeping change.

HuffPost

Unesco guidelines prohibit the sweeping alterations they would like, however.

The New York Times

This is a dangerous falsehood on which to base such sweeping alterations to our public lands conservation laws.

The Guardian

If it needs sweeping she'll sweep the floor.

BMC Health Services Research

Kevin Pietersen, Matt Prior, Graeme Swann, James Anderson and the form of captain Alastair Cook are all a concern, but I'd only be in favour of making one or two alterations rather than opting for sweeping changes.

BBC

There will also be sweeping changes to contracts for any new employees, with diminished terms and conditions, including alterations to maternity leave.

The Guardian

Sweeping down gesture.

The New Yorker

"It is so sweeping.

The New York Times

Anger is sweeping America.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sweeping alteration", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being altered and the scope of the change. This phrase is suitable when emphasizing the magnitude and breadth of the modification.

Common error

Avoid using "sweeping alteration" if the change is minor or incremental. Reserve this phrase for situations where the modification is genuinely extensive and impactful, so you don't risk exaggeration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sweeping alteration" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an object or complement to a verb. It signifies a significant or broad change that affects multiple aspects of something. While Ludwig doesn't provide direct examples of this specific phrase, similar phrases are identified, indicating its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Science

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sweeping alteration" is used to describe a significant or extensive change. While Ludwig's data doesn't provide direct examples, the tool confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. As Ludwig AI also pointed out, it conveys a substantial modification. When writing, use this phrase to emphasize the magnitude and breadth of a change, but be mindful of overstating the scope. Alternatives such as "major change" or "extensive modification" can provide similar meanings. Its appropriate formality makes it suited to both news and formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

major change

Replaces "sweeping alteration" with a more concise term emphasizing the significance of the change.

extensive modification

Substitutes "sweeping" with "extensive" and "alteration" with "modification", highlighting the breadth and nature of the change.

radical transformation

Replaces "sweeping alteration" with a phrase emphasizing a fundamental shift.

comprehensive revision

Uses "comprehensive" to emphasize thoroughness and "revision" to indicate a reviewed and altered state.

far-reaching adjustment

Emphasizes the broad impact of the change using "far-reaching" and indicates a correction or alteration with "adjustment".

wholesale restructuring

Implies a complete overhaul using "wholesale" and denotes a change in structure with "restructuring".

broad modification

Similar to "extensive modification" but uses "broad" to indicate a wide scope.

complete overhaul

Indicates a thorough and comprehensive change, replacing "alteration" with a stronger term.

major adjustment

Combines the simplicity of "major change" with the nuance of "adjustment", implying a significant but possibly less radical shift.

significant revision

Highlights the importance of the change using "significant" and denotes a reviewed and altered state with "revision".

FAQs

How can I use "sweeping alteration" in a sentence?

You can use "sweeping alteration" to describe significant changes, such as "The company announced a "sweeping alteration" to its privacy policy."

What are some alternatives to "sweeping alteration"?

Alternatives include "major change", "extensive modification", or "radical transformation", depending on the context.

Is "sweeping alteration" a formal phrase?

"Sweeping alteration" can be used in both formal and neutral contexts, but it is most appropriate when emphasizing the magnitude of the change. Consider the formality of your audience when choosing between "sweeping alteration" and "major change".

What's the difference between "sweeping alteration" and "minor adjustment"?

"Sweeping alteration" describes a large-scale, significant change, while "minor adjustment" indicates a small, incremental change. The key difference lies in the scope and impact of the change being described. Use "sweeping alteration" only when the change is truly extensive.