things have been altered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "things have been altered" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that changes or modifications have taken place regarding a situation or object. Example: "After the review, it was clear that things have been altered in the project plan, and we need to adjust our timeline accordingly."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

If after a week, none of these things have been altered, then you can assume the house had not been occupied for that week.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"No matter how exactly the hermit tenants modify their shellters, they exemplify an important, if obvious, evolutionary truth: living things have been altering and remodeling their surroundings throughout the history of life," wrote UC Davis evolutionary biologist Geerat J. Vermeij in a commentary in the same journal.

University of California, Berkeley

"This thing has been altered". Bolling brought on leading birther Pamela Geller, who said the document needed additional digital forensic analysis.

HuffPost

A few things have been rearranged and fonts have been altered, but the layout is largely the same.

TechCrunch

Certain activities have been altered, she said.

The New York Times

The blindfolds have been altered by technology.

The New York Times

Many buildings have been altered by residents.

Columbia University

The rules have been altered before, and could well be altered again.

Forbes

Titles have been altered.

Los Angeles Times

Some dates have been altered.

Wikipedia

Identities have been altered to protect anonymity.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "things have been altered", ensure the context clearly indicates what "things" refers to, avoiding ambiguity. Be specific about the subject undergoing alteration.

Common error

Avoid using "things have been altered" when the nature of the alteration is unclear or insignificant. Provide concrete details instead of relying on vague descriptions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "things have been altered" functions as a statement indicating that a set of circumstances, items, or conditions have undergone some form of modification. It uses the passive voice to emphasize the result of the alteration rather than the actor.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Academia

21%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "things have been altered" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that modifications or changes have taken place. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase follows standard grammar rules and is versatile enough for various contexts, with a slightly more formal tone. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what "things" refers to, and avoid vagueness to maintain effective communication. Alternatives such as "things have changed" or "things have been modified" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

things have changed

Uses the verb "changed" instead of "been altered", indicating a shift or modification.

things have been modified

Replaces "altered" with "modified", suggesting a more deliberate or controlled change.

modifications have been made

Emphasizes the act of making modifications rather than the state of being altered.

things are different now

Indicates a state of difference without specifying the process of alteration.

the situation has evolved

Implies a gradual change or development over time.

things have been adjusted

Suggests a slight or fine-tuned alteration to something.

things are not the same

Highlights the difference from a previous state, but does not necessarily imply an active alteration.

there have been revisions

Focuses on the act of revising or amending something.

things have undergone changes

Highlights that something has experienced a process of change.

the details have shifted

Suggests alterations in specific aspects or elements.

FAQs

How can I use "things have been altered" in a sentence?

Use "things have been altered" to indicate that changes or modifications have occurred. For example, "After the review, it was clear that "things have been altered" in the project plan".

What is a good alternative to "things have been altered"?

You can use alternatives like "things have changed", "things have been modified", or "modifications have been made" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "things have been altered" or "things have changed"?

"Things have been altered" tends to sound slightly more formal than "things have changed", as "altered" implies a more deliberate or significant modification.

What does "altered" mean in the context of "things have been altered"?

In this context, "altered" means that something has been changed or modified in some way. It suggests that the original state is no longer the same.