amend

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "amend" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to suggest making changes or corrections to something. For example, "The board of directors voted to amend the company's bylaws."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Scotland's 56 SNP MPs will certainly seek to amend the legislation to ensure that young people are able to take part in the vote".

The Guardian

France has been pressuring the Palestinians to amend the resolution to make it clear that Israel could not be taken to the ICC retroactively for any alleged war crimes committed before the UN votes to recognise Palestinian statehood.

The Guardian

The adjudicator partially upheld her case, recommending that Oxford clarify and amend its policies.

The Guardian

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 4.06pm BST16:06 Egypt has signalled it may be willing to amend a ceasefire proposal to accommodate Hamas, Reuters reports.

The Guardian

But if they refuse, we will amend the 1972 European Communities Act to take them back unilaterally.

The Guardian

Labor wants to amend the government proposal to insist that a cost/benefit analysis be carried out before any infrastructure project proceeds; and to give the parliament an effective right of veto over privatisations.

The Guardian

The opposition benches must send a message to this Tory government that they cannot ride roughshod over our future We will also seek to amend the legislation to ensure that no constituent part of the UK can be taken out of the EU against its will.

The Guardian - Opinion

But he was very persuasive on the need to amend the student migration rules.

The Guardian

The presses of the Sunday Independent were stopped on Saturday evening (19 July), reported yesterday's Sunday Times in Ireland, in order to amend an article by Anne Harris.

The Guardian

If the UK were to make concrete proposals to amend its rules on access to benefits, the commission would have to scrutinise those proposals to make sure they were fully compatible with free movement of workers, rights of residence and social security co-ordination.

The Guardian

With the House not due back in until at least 9am on 1 June, this means that Congress may no longer simply be able to "extend" section 215 of the Patriot Act but may need to amend language further to restore the lapsed provisions from scratch.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "amend" when you want to formally change or improve a document, law, or process. It suggests a careful and deliberate alteration rather than a complete overhaul.

Common error

Avoid using "amend" when "edit" is more appropriate. "Amend" suggests a formal alteration with significant impact, while "edit" implies minor corrections and improvements.

Linguistic Context

Amend primarily functions as a verb, indicating the act of making changes or corrections to something, often in a formal or official context. Ludwig highlights this function across numerous examples involving legislation, policies, and documents.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "amend" is a versatile verb, commonly used to denote making changes or improvements, particularly in formal contexts such as legal documents and policies. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its application across various fields, primarily news and media. Key alternatives include "revise", "modify", and "alter", each carrying subtle differences in connotation. According to Ludwig AI, "amend" is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English. Remember to use it to specify formal changes, and avoid confusing it with similar words like "edit" or "repeal".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

revise

Focuses on making corrections or improvements, often in written material.

modify

Suggests making alterations or adjustments, often to something's form or function.

alter

Implies a change in character or composition, sometimes subtly.

correct

Emphasizes the removal of errors or inaccuracies.

improve

Focuses on enhancing the quality or condition of something.

rectify

Suggests setting something right or correcting a wrong.

adjust

Implies making a fine correction to achieve a desired state.

reform

Suggests a complete or substantial change for the better.

recast

To present or formulate in a different way.

remodel

Implies to change the structure or form of something

FAQs

How to use "amend" in a sentence?

The word "amend" is typically used to indicate making formal alterations or improvements to a document, law, or system. For example, "The committee voted to amend the proposal".

What can I say instead of "amend"?

You can use alternatives like "revise", "modify", or "alter" depending on the context. Each carries a slightly different connotation regarding the nature and extent of the change.

Which is correct, "amend" or "repeal"?

"Amend" means to change or improve, while "repeal" means to revoke or abolish entirely. They are not interchangeable; choose the word that accurately reflects the intended action.

What's the difference between "amend" and "edit"?

"Amend" refers to making formal, often significant changes to a document or system. "Edit" typically involves smaller corrections and improvements to a text. Use "edit" for simple corrections and "amend" for more substantial changes.