Meaning & use
altering
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“altering” is a form of “alter”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitive
Making something different in some way, usually a small or partial change rather than a complete one.
Grammar: Takes an object: altering the plan. The -ing form can follow a verb such as keep or risk.
Patterns
- altering something
- altering something to do something
She spent the weekend altering the dress so it fit better.
The architects are altering the plans to save money.
Altering the recipe slightly made the sauce less sour.
verbintransitiveformal
Changing in character or appearance, without anyone acting on it.
Grammar: No object: the situation is altering fast.
Patterns
- be altering
- keep altering
The coastline is altering as the sea level rises.
His mood kept altering throughout the day.
The colors are altering as the light fades.
verbtransitivelegal
Changing a document, record or piece of data, sometimes dishonestly.
Grammar: Takes an object, such as a record or a file: altering a document.
Patterns
- altering a document
- altering a record
He was charged with altering the official records.
Altering the date on the receipt is a crime.
The system logs anyone caught altering protected files.
Word forms
| base form | alter |
|---|---|
| third person singular | alters |
| past tense | altered |
| -ing form | altering |
Common combinations
- altering clothes
- The tailor charges a small fee for altering clothes.
- altering the course
- Altering the course of the river took decades of work.
- altering a document
- Altering a document without permission can be a crime.
- altering the outcome
- No small change was capable of altering the outcome.
- altering your plans
- Heavy snow forced them into altering their plans.
Synonyms and how they differ
- changing
- Changing is the general everyday word and can mean a total switch, while altering usually means a smaller adjustment.
- modifying
- Modifying suggests adjusting something to improve it or fit a need, whereas altering is neutral about the purpose.
- adjusting
- Adjusting means making a small change to get something right, while altering can also be a bigger or less careful change.
- amending
- Amending is formal and used for texts, laws and agreements, whereas altering also fits clothes and plans.
Opposites
Word family
- alter verb
- to change something
- alteration noun
- a change, especially a small one
- altered adjective
- changed from the original
- unalterable adjective
- impossible to change
Commonly confused: altering or altar? altering or alerting?
altering vs altar
An altar is a table used for religious ceremonies; it sounds exactly like alter in most speech but is a noun.
altering vs alerting
Alerting means warning someone, not changing something.
Practice
The tailor is ______ the jacket so that the sleeves are shorter.
Choose one answer.
Altering means making a change to the jacket. Alerting means warning, and alternating means switching back and forth, so neither fits shortening sleeves.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “altering”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.