tamper with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tamper with" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the act of interfering with or altering something, often in a way that is unauthorized or harmful. Example: "The security system was triggered when someone attempted to tamper with the locks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Tamper with the skyline?

The New York Times

Why tamper with that?

The New York Times

Others tamper with prescriptions.

The New York Times - Science

Why tamper with success?

The New York Times

Please do not tamper with them.

The New Yorker

Did the Patriots tamper with the footballs?

The New Yorker

Don't tamper with Cornish history".

The Guardian

He did not tamper with witnesses.

The Economist

("Why tamper with it?" he asked Goldman).

The New York Times

He began to tamper with the courts.

The Economist

"We don't tamper with Dorsey much either.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tamper with" when you want to express unauthorized or harmful interference. For instance, in legal or security contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "tamper with" in situations where a lighter term like "adjust" or "modify" would be more appropriate. Overusing "tamper with" can make your writing sound unnecessarily accusatory or serious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tamper with" functions primarily as a verb phrase used to describe the act of interfering or manipulating something, often in an unauthorized or harmful way. Ludwig examples show this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

15%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tamper with" is a common verb phrase used to describe unauthorized or harmful interference, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Grammatically correct and versatile, it appears frequently in news, scientific, and formal contexts. While alternatives like "interfere with" or "manipulate" exist, "tamper with" carries a unique connotation of malicious or illicit alteration. When using "tamper with", remember to reserve it for situations that warrant a serious tone, avoiding overuse in casual contexts to maintain its intended impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

interfere with

Focuses on hindering or obstructing something, often without necessarily altering it.

manipulate

Implies skillful handling or control, sometimes with a negative connotation of deception.

meddle with

Suggests unnecessary or unwanted intervention, often by someone not authorized.

alter

Indicates a change or modification, which may or may not be harmful.

modify

Suggests making changes to improve or adapt something.

adjust

Implies making small changes to achieve a desired outcome.

doctor

Suggests altering something deceptively, often to hide flaws.

tinker with

Implies making small, experimental changes, often without a clear goal.

adulterate

Specifically refers to corrupting or degrading something by adding inferior substances.

corrupt

Indicates damaging the integrity or purity of something.

FAQs

How can I use "tamper with" in a sentence?

You can use "tamper with" to describe actions that involve interfering or altering something, often in a way that is unauthorized or harmful. For example: "Someone tried to tamper with the lock".

What are some alternatives to "tamper with"?

Depending on the context, you could use "interfere with", "manipulate", or "meddle with" as alternatives to "tamper with".

Is it correct to say "tamper at" or "tamper on" instead of "tamper with"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "tamper" in this context is "with". "Tamper at" or "tamper on" are grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "tamper with" and "tinker with"?

"Tamper with" implies unauthorized or malicious interference, while "tinker with" suggests casual or experimental adjustments.