Altered vs changed

[Kolombina]

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #105 "Synonyms Lesson", question 4

This is my favourite dress but since I've lost a lot of weight it needs to be ......... before I put it on.

(a) altered
(b) changed
(c) modified
(d) exchanged

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #105 "Synonyms Lesson", answer 4

This is my favourite dress but since I've lost a lot of weight it needs to be altered before I put it on.

Correct answer: (a) altered

Your answer was: incorrect
This is my favourite dress but since I've lost a lot of weight it needs to be modified before I put it on.
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When will i use altered vs changed.

[Mister Micawber]

.
Altered/changed/modified all have the same meaning, of course, but collocation (use) associates them with different contexts. Altered is the word used of clothing, among other things.

I had my suit altered.
I had my Harley-Davidson modified.
I changed my mind.

These are just example collocations-- the words appear in many other situations as well.
.
_________________
Canadian-American native speaker
who teaches English for a living at Mister Micawber's
ESL cafe: Interview with Mister Micawber

[Alan]

Hi English Learner,

In this sentence you need altered because the person is now a different shape -has become thinner. If you change clothes, you take one set of clothing off and put a different set on.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Saying It Twice

[Daniela]

Hi Kolombina,

Here is some more about the difference between "change" and "alter".

"change" means to make something different from what it was; to substitute one thing for another
to change a key lock/ an address/ an opinion

"alter" suggests some partial change in the appearance of something or someone but the identity of the whole is being preserved. “To alter” a dress means “to make slight changes in order to be able to wear it, while “to change a dress” means to put on a different one.
to alter a way of life; to alter a course (for a ship); to alter an appearance, etc

Hope this helps!
Success!
Daniela

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