verbIntermediate

alter

US

/ˈɔːl.tɚ/

UK

/ˈɔːl.tə/

Meaning

To change something, usually in a way that makes it different or more suitable.

किसी चीज़ को बदलना, आमतौर पर उसे अलग या ज़्यादा उपयुक्त बनाने के लिए।

Examples

“We had to alter our travel plans because of the storm.”

alter + nounUsed when changing an existing plan.

“The tailor can alter the jacket to make it fit better.”

alter something to + verbUsed for making a practical adjustment.

“The altered schedule gives the team more time to prepare.”

altered + nounPast participle used as an adjective.

Useful patterns

alter somethingalter something to + verbalter how/what/when + clausealter plans or arrangements

Word toolkit

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Word family

alteration(noun)
altered(adjective)
altering(verb)

Common collocations

alter plansalter a schedulealter a designalter the appearancesignificantly alterslightly alteralter the course of events

Common mistakes

Not natural: We need to alter about the seating plan.

Better: We need to alter the seating plan.

Alter is normally a transitive verb, so put the thing being changed directly after it without 'about.'

Alter के बाद आमतौर पर जिस चीज़ को बदलना है, वह सीधे आता है; उसके पहले 'about' नहीं लगाते।

Not natural: The staff altered between morning and evening shifts each week.

Better: The staff alternated between morning and evening shifts each week.

Use 'alternate between' for switching repeatedly between two options. 'Alter' means to change something, not to take turns between options.

दो विकल्पों के बीच बारी-बारी से बदलने के लिए 'alternate between' कहते हैं। 'Alter' का मतलब किसी चीज़ को बदलना है।

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Learner tip

Alter usually takes a direct object: you alter a plan, design, or schedule. Don’t confuse it with 'alternate,' which means to switch between options.

Alter के बाद सीधे उस चीज़ का नाम आता है जिसे आप बदल रहे हैं—जैसे plan या schedule। इसे 'alternate' से न मिलाएँ, जिसका मतलब विकल्पों के बीच बारी-बारी से बदलना है।

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Quick quiz

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1 / 5
One answer

A train cancellation means Maya must change her departure time. What might she say?

Train cancel होने के कारण माया को निकलने का समय बदलना है। वह क्या कह सकती है?