tiny alteration

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tiny alteration" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small change or modification in something. Example: "After reviewing the document, I made a tiny alteration to the wording for clarity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The African women, however, are able to minimize this loss through a tiny alteration of their gait.

The New York Times - Science

In a Times review published seven years ago, Charles McGrath said of John O'Hara that, "He created what later came to be called 'the New Yorker story' — one that turns on a tiny alteration in tone or mood — and he paved the way for Salinger, Cheever, Updike and even Carver".

The New Yorker

Last summer her team hit pay dirt: They found a tiny alteration of just four chemical beads, or "letters," in the 35,000-letter-long Flap gene.

Forbes

I'm personally now favoring a tiny alteration to a very familiar phrase in US politics; ahead of us we now have Four Mere Years.

Huffington Post

Priebus said it would be "one single tiny alteration of the tax code" that would raise only enough to fund the government for 11 hours instead of making a significant dent in the deficit.

Huffington Post

In fact, speaking to Rohit Malpani from Médecins Sans Frontières (an organisation that relies heavily on affordable generic drugs), he stressed that even a tiny alteration in the law "would have enormous impacts on public health systems in sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Never losing his cool, he reveals Bradley's shifts in feeling with tiny alterations in body language and inflection.

The New York Times

Loeb performed laboratory work devoted to "tropism" — the tendency of plants and animals to react in a predetermined way to tiny alterations in the environment.

The New Yorker

This vision of a planet shaped by tiny alterations - caused by erosion, sediment formation, the impact of wind and other factors - operating over aeons had a profound impact on naturalists.

The Guardian

Especially, rolled-up microcavities with (ultra thin wall thickness are sensitive to tiny alterations and modifications in the vicinity of the inner and outer tube wall surfaces[5].

Nanoscale Research Letters

Tiny alterations of protein expression happen in all physiological and pathological processes.

BMC Veterinary Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tiny alteration" when you want to emphasize the small scale of a change or modification. This phrase is particularly useful when the small change has a significant impact.

Common error

Avoid using "tiny alteration" to describe changes that are actually substantial. It is best suited for truly minor adjustments that might have surprisingly large consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tiny alteration" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a change or modification that is small in scale. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

21%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tiny alteration" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe a very small change or modification. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is acceptable for written English, particularly when emphasizing the surprisingly significant impact of a minimal adjustment. While most commonly found in News & Media, its neutral register allows usage across various contexts. When looking for semantically similar options, consider "slight modification" or "minor adjustment" for close alternatives, while always ensuring the chosen phrase aligns with your intended level of emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight modification

Focuses on the act of modifying something in a small way.

minor adjustment

Emphasizes the act of adjusting, implying a correction or fine-tuning.

small change

A more general term for a slight difference.

subtle variation

Highlights the delicate and not easily noticed nature of the change.

minimal adjustment

Stresses the least possible amount of adjustment.

marginal difference

Implies that the alteration has little impact.

delicate shift

Suggests a careful and precise change.

minute change

Highlights the very small size of the change.

negligible alteration

Indicates that the alteration is so small it's almost insignificant.

imperceptible modification

Stresses that the modification is difficult to perceive.

FAQs

What does "tiny alteration" mean?

A "tiny alteration" refers to a very small change or modification, often implying that the change might have a larger impact than its size suggests.

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

You can use "tiny alteration" to describe modifications to anything, like, for example, "The company made a "tiny alteration" to their business plan.".

What are some alternatives to "tiny alteration"?

Alternatives include "slight modification", "minor adjustment", or "small change", each with slightly different nuances.

Is there a difference between "tiny alteration" and "small change"?

While similar, "tiny alteration" emphasizes the minimal size of the change, whereas "small change" is a more general term. The best phrase will always depend on the degree to which you want to emphasize the minute nature of the modification.