'Altar' is the sacred table in a church or temple; 'alter' means to change or modify something.
Noun. A raised table or flat surface used in religious ceremonies.
The couple stood before the altar to exchange their vows.
Candles were lit on the altar before the ceremony.
The altar was decorated with white lilies for the baptism.
Verb. To make changes to something so that it is different.
The deadline cannot be altered without the client's approval.
She altered the dress to make it shorter for the event.
The new data altered our understanding of the market significantly.
Common mistake
"They stood before the alter" in a wedding context (correct: altar). Or "We cannot altar our prices" (correct: alter our prices).
Trick to remember it
'Altar' ends in AR — a prominent place like a star. 'Alter' ends in ER like other action verbs: filter, render, alter — all describe processes of change.
Quick rule
Is it the sacred table in a place of worship? 'Altar'. Is it the act of changing or modifying? 'Alter'.
Did you know?
The phrase 'alter ego' (another self) uses the Latin 'alter' (other, different). Cicero coined it to describe his closest friend as a second self. Today it refers to a secret identity, a character an author uses to express personal views, or the stage persona an artist adopts.
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
Market conditions forced them to _____ their pricing strategy twice this year.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
The _____ was decorated with fresh flowers for the Easter service.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Is it the sacred table in a place of worship? 'Altar'. Is it the act of changing or modifying? 'Alter'.
"They stood before the alter" in a wedding context (correct: altar). Or "We cannot altar our prices" (correct: alter our prices).
'Altar' ends in AR — a prominent place like a star. 'Alter' ends in ER like other action verbs: filter, render, alter — all describe processes of change.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy