Cool MateAlter vs Put this big a dent
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Alter
Beyond 10,000 (less common)B2verb
Put this big a dent
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
| Alter | Put this big a dent | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈɔːltə//🇺🇸 //ˈɔltɚ// | 🇬🇧 //pʊt ðɪs bɪg ə dɛnt//🇺🇸 //pʊt ðɪs bɪg ə dɛnt// |
| Meaning | To change something. | to make a significant impact or change. |
| Example | The dress was altered to fit better. | His donation really put this big a dent in our fundraising efforts. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | alter the course, alter the agreement, alter the design, alter behavior, alter personality | put a dent in, put this big a dent, make a dent |
| Antonyms | preserve, maintain, retain | ignore, neglect |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'change' - 'alter' usually implies a more significant adjustment., Using 'alter' without an object - it should always follow an object., Incorrectly using 'altered' as a noun. | Confused with 'put a dent in' which is more common., Using 'big' incorrectly as an adverb., Omitting 'a' before 'dent'. |
| Usage notes | Use 'alter' when you want to indicate a change or modification. It is more formal than 'change'. Avoid using it for very minor or trivial adjustments. | Often used metaphorically to describe making a noticeable difference in a situation. Suitable for both spoken and written contexts. Avoid in overly formal situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Alter vs Put this big a dent
What's the difference between Alter and Put this big a dent?
Alter: To change something. Put this big a dent: to make a significant impact or change.
Can you show an example of each?
Alter: The dress was altered to fit better. Put this big a dent: His donation really put this big a dent in our fundraising efforts.
Can I use Alter and Put this big a dent interchangeably?
Not always. Alter and Put this big a dent are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.