alteration

Everyday

1. An alteration is a change made to something. tree →
2. An alteration is a change to clothes to make them fit better, like shortening trousers. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life a tailor does alterations to clothes; builders make alterations to a house. In English lessons pupils make alterations to their writing to improve it. In formal language «no alterations allowed» means you must not change it. Phrases: make alterations, minor alterations.

Examples

• Mum took the dress for alterations. tree →
• We made a few alterations to our story. tree →
• The house needs some alterations before we move in. tree →
• (formal) No alterations may be made to the answer sheet. tree →
• The alteration made the trousers fit perfectly. tree →
• Any alterations to the timetable will be on the board. tree →
• The king knew of nothing that could have produced such an alteration. tree →

Note

Countable; «an alteration». Verb: alter. Do not confuse with «altercation» (an angry argument) or «altar» (a church table). Everyday word: «change».