Alter vs. change

[carola]

English Synonym, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #64 "Synonyms for change", question 9

Electricity can be ......... into light.

(a) changed
(b) altered
(c) shifted
(d) transformed

English Synonym, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #64 "Synonyms for change", answer 9

Electricity can be transformed into light.

Correct answer: (d) transformed
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why not "alter"? Thank you for the advice

Carol

[Alan]

Hi Carol,

Alter has the idea of making something different from what it was as in: When you move from one time zone to another you have to alter the time on your watch.

Transform, needed in this sentence, suggests a process of changing one thing into another thing.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story The Name of the Game