Related Pages
Altar or Alter?
Altar or Alter?
What is the difference between "altar" and "alter"?- "An altar" is an area of religious worship. For example:
- We stood at the church altar.
- We stood at the church altar.
- "Alter" means to change something.
- Turn this wheel to alter the ship's course.


More about "Altar" and "Alter"
Occasionally, there is confusion over the words "altar" and "alter."Click on the Two Correct Sentences
(Interactive Game)
Getting ready...
Getting ready...
Getting ready...
Getting ready...
Getting ready...
Getting ready...
Getting ready...
Getting ready...
Getting ready...
Getting ready...

Altar
The word "altar" is a noun. "An altar" is an area (usually a table) where religious worship or sacrifice occurs.Examples:
- The ancient Britons used to sacrifice animals on elaborate stone altars.
- We were married at the altar in Saint Paul's Cathedral.
- Have you seen the water damage to the alter in Saint John's Church?
Alter
"To alter" is a verb meaning to change something.Examples:
- Will you alter this dress for Saturday's play?
- Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months.
(Playwright Oscar Wilde)
- Please altar your claim in Section 9.
Some Images for Altar and Alter

altar in church

eerie sacrificial altar

ladies alter clothes
Common Terms with "Altar" and "Alter"
Common terms with the word "altar":- altar boys
- come to the altar
- family altar
- lead to the altar
- wedding altar
- witch's altar
- alter course
- alter ego
- alter the dress
- alter the situation
Most Mistakes Occur with "Altar" not "Alter"
People rarely use "altar" when they mean "alter." It is more common for people to use "alter" when they mean "altar."In its catalogue, one reputable website calls this piece "Alter of the Hand." Ooops.

"Alter of the Hand"

Interactive Exercise
Here are three randomly selected questions from a larger exercise, which can be edited, printed to create an exercise worksheet, or sent via email to friends or students.- Do you disagree with something on this page?
- Did you spot a typo?