1. to change or make different
改變，修改
We had to alter our plans due to the bad weather.
由於天氣惡劣，我們不得不改變計劃。
The dress was too long, so she altered it.
這件洋裝太長了，所以她修改了它。
Alter Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
alter
verb
快速理解
What does "Alter" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Alter"?
alter 意指對某物進行改變或調整，使其與原來不同。
- 1
改變外觀或特性
EN: to change the appearance or character of something
翻譯: 改變某物的外觀或特性。
- 2
修改衣物尺寸
EN: to make changes to a piece of clothing so that it fits better
翻譯: 修改衣物的尺寸使其更合身。
- 3
調整計畫或安排
EN: to adjust plans or arrangements
翻譯: 調整計畫或安排。
小提醒：alter 通常指較小或部分的改變，而非徹底的、根本性的轉變（後者更常用 change 或 transform）。
發音（How to Pronounce "Alter" in English）
How to pronounce "Alter" in English?"Alter" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Alter" from YouTube Videos
Sugata Mitra: Can kids teach themselves?
TED
“I leave you with this third question: Can technology alter the acquisition of values?”
(1 out of 8)
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Alter"?How does "Alter" change by context?
2. to become different
變更，變化
His mood altered suddenly when he heard the news.
聽到這個消息時，他的情緒突然變了。
The landscape has altered dramatically over the past decade.
過去十年間，地貌發生了巨大的變化。
3. to make changes to a piece of clothing so that it fits better
修改（衣服）
I need to get this suit altered before the wedding.
我需要在婚禮前把這套西裝拿去修改。
The tailor can alter the waist of these trousers for you.
裁縫師可以幫你修改這條褲子的腰圍。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Alter"?How to make natural sentences with "Alter"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| alter + noun | 改變（某事物） | The tailor altered the suit to fit perfectly. (裁縫修改了西裝，使其非常合身。) |
| alter + noun + to + verb | 改變（某事物）以（做某事） | They altered the schedule to accommodate the new member. (他們修改了時間表以配合新成員。) |
| be altered | 被改變/被修改 | The landscape has been altered by years of development. (這片景觀因多年的開發而改變了。) |
| alter + adverb | （以某種方式）改變 | The situation altered dramatically overnight. (情況在一夜之間戲劇性地改變了。) |
| alter + noun + slightly/significantly | 稍微/顯著地改變（某事物） | We need to alter the design slightly before production. (在生產前，我們需要稍微修改一下設計。) |
用法說明
How is "Alter" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Alter"?
alter doing vs alter to do
- "alter doing" 通常不自然，因為 "alter" 作為及物動詞，後面直接接名詞或名詞片語作為受詞，表示「改變某事物」。
- "alter to do" 的結構也不常見。若要表達「為了做某事而改變」，更自然的說法是使用 "alter something to do something" 或 "alter something in order to do something"。
- 當表達「改變主意去做某事」時，更地道的說法是 "change one's mind and decide to do something"，而非直接使用 "alter"。
- "alter" 最常見的用法是 "alter + 名詞" 或 "alter + 名詞 + to + 動詞"（表示改變的目的或結果）。
對比例句： EN: We need to alter the design to improve efficiency. 翻譯: 我們需要修改設計以提高效率。
EN:He altered his plans after hearing the news.
翻譯:聽到消息後，他改變了他的計畫。
總結建議
建議將 "alter" 視為及物動詞，專注於「alter + 受詞」的結構，並使用 "to + 動詞" 或 "in order to + 動詞" 來補充說明改變的目的。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Alter" and similar words?How to choose "Alter" vs alternatives?
alter vs change
「alter」通常指對某物的細節、特性或外觀進行小幅度的修改，而不改變其本質或整體結構；「change」則更為通用，可指任何程度的變化，包括徹底的、根本性的改變。
alter vs modify
「alter」與「modify」意思相近，常可互換，但「modify」在技術或正式語境中更常見，且可能帶有「為改善或適應而調整」的意味。
alter vs adjust
「alter」強調對物體或情況本身進行改變；「adjust」則強調為了達到正確、合適或和諧的狀態而進行的微調，常涉及校正或適應。
口語用法
How is "Alter" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Alter"?
引述
在轉述他人意見或提出假設時，常用來軟化語氣，表示「如果要做改動的話…」。 EN: If we were to alter the schedule, we'd need everyone's approval. 翻譯: 如果我們要調整時間表，就需要每個人的同意。
EN:She said we might alter the plan depending on the weather.
翻譯:她說我們可能會根據天氣來改變計畫。
語氣強調
與「really」、「completely」、「totally」等副詞連用，強調改變的程度重大或徹底。 EN: This discovery could totally alter our understanding of history. 翻譯: 這個發現可能會徹底改變我們對歷史的理解。
EN:You haven't really altered anything; it looks the same.
翻譯:你根本沒真的改動什麼；看起來還是一樣。
停頓填充
在思考如何表達時，用作填充詞的一部分，常見於「...to alter, you know, the way we...」這類結構中。 EN: We need to alter, like, the whole approach to this problem. 翻譯: 我們需要改變，嗯，解決這個問題的整個方法。
EN:It's going to alter—how should I put it—the dynamic of the team.
翻譯:這將會改變—我該怎麼說呢—團隊的動力。
正式書寫注意：在學術或正式商業寫作中，應避免將「alter」與「like」、「you know」等口語填充詞連用，並使用更精確的詞語（如 modify, adjust, amend）來替代口語中泛用的「alter」。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Alter"?What fixed phrases with "Alter" should I remember?
alter dramatically
alter + adverb
劇烈地改變
alter course
alter + noun (course/direction/plan)
改變路線/方向/計劃
alter one's appearance
alter + possessive + noun
改變某人的外貌
alter the fact
alter + the + noun (fact/situation/balance)
改變事實/情況/平衡
alter irreversibly
alter + adverb
不可逆轉地改變
alter fundamentally
alter + adverb
從根本上改變
alter slightly
alter + adverb
稍微修改
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Alter"?Which "Alter" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×I need to alter my plan to a new one.
✓I need to alter my plan.
「alter」本身已包含「改變」之意，後面直接接受詞即可，不需要加上「to a new one」或「into something else」等冗餘說明。
×Can you alter this document for me?
✓Can you modify/edit this document for me?
「alter」通常指對結構、外觀或本質上較顯著的改變，如衣服尺寸、計畫。對於文件內容的細部「修改」或「編輯」，使用「modify」或「edit」更為精確自然。
×He altered his mind about the trip.
✓He changed his mind about the trip.
「alter」通常不用於描述改變「想法、主意、心意」。固定搭配「change one's mind」才是正確用法。
×The software was altered by the user.
✓The software settings were altered by the user.
「alter」的受詞應具體明確。軟體本身通常不會被「改變」，而是軟體的「設定、參數、外觀」等被改變。使用時需確保受詞是具體可被修改的屬性。
×I will alter my bad habits.
✓I will change my bad habits.
「alter」強調對現有事物進行修改或調整，而非完全替換或培養全新事物。對於「習慣、生活方式」等涉及個人行為模式的根本性「改變」，使用「change」更為常見。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Alter"?What are tense/participle forms of "Alter"?
alters(3rd_singular)altering(present_participle)altered(past)altered(past_participle)