tampering with

USAGE SUMMARY

It is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action of changing something in an unauthorized way, often with the intent of making it function in a different way, or to hide or alter evidence. For example: "The police found evidence of tampering with the security cameras in the building."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

How about tampering with actual voting machines?

Princeton University

Why should tampering with such codes matter?

The New York Times - Arts

The doctor denied tampering with witnesses.

The New York Times

Bitcoin's existing security structure prevents tampering with the signatures.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Report any vandalism or tampering with the alarm.

Stanford University

Intentional tampering with badges is a very serious legal matter.

Princeton University

Tampering with memory is a part of daily life.

The New Yorker

Going forward, tampering with Libor may be a criminal offense.

The New York Times

He was particularly concerned about anyone tampering with the waterfall.

The New Yorker

Tampering with your phone was a punishable offence.

The Guardian - Books

Tampering with the favorite is the oldest trick in racing.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing legal or ethical breaches, use "tampering with" to emphasize the unauthorized and potentially harmful nature of the interference.

Common error

While alternatives like "messing with" exist, they lack the seriousness implied by "tampering with", which is crucial in formal or professional contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tampering with" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the act of interfering with something, often in an unauthorized or illegal manner. As Ludwig AI confirms, it suggests making changes, often with negative intent. Examples include "tampering with evidence" or "tampering with a device".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tampering with" is a verb phrase that denotes unauthorized or inappropriate alteration or interference, often with negative consequences. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is grammatically sound and used to express concern about such actions. It finds frequent usage in news, academic and scientific contexts, carrying a neutral to formal tone. Related phrases include "meddling with" and "interfering with", while less formal options like "messing with" exist, their suitability depends on the context. To avoid misinterpretations in formal situations, it's crucial to select alternatives carefully. Examples from Ludwig showcase its application across various domains, emphasizing its importance in conveying the gravity of unauthorized interference.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meddling with

Replaces "tampering" with "meddling", suggesting a lighter, perhaps less malicious, form of interference.

interfering with

"Interfering" broadens the scope to include any obstruction or disruption, not necessarily alteration.

manipulating

Focuses on skillful handling or control, sometimes in a deceptive way.

altering

Highlights the act of making changes, without necessarily implying unauthorized access.

adjusting without permission

Specifies that the adjustment is made without consent or authorization.

fooling around with

This is a more casual term suggesting a playful or unskilled handling.

tinkering with

"Tinkering" implies experimental or unskilled attempts to repair or improve something.

messing with

Informal term implying interference, often with negative consequences.

corrupting

Focuses on damaging the integrity or purity of something.

vandalizing

This suggests deliberate damage or destruction.

FAQs

How to use "tampering with" in a sentence?

You can use "tampering with" to describe unauthorized or inappropriate alteration of something, such as "The investigation revealed "tampering with evidence"".

What's the difference between "tampering with" and "interfering with"?

"Tampering with" specifically implies making unauthorized changes or alterations, often with a negative intention, while "interfering with" can simply mean obstructing or hindering, without necessarily involving changes.

What can I say instead of "tampering with"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "meddling with", "interfering with", or "manipulating".

Is "tampering with" a formal or informal expression?

"Tampering with" is generally considered a neutral to formal expression, suitable for use in legal, professional, and academic contexts. Less formal options, such as "messing with", might be more appropriate for casual conversation.