amendment

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "amendment" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a change or addition to a law, document, or agreement. For example, "The amendment to the constitution was passed by a majority vote."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Both the LOC and SAFA adhered to the necessary formalities for the budgetary amendment.

The Guardian - Sport

Open daily 3pm-2am Sassafras has all of the cosy 1920's charm of a prohibition-era speakeasy, with none of the pretence of Franklin Mortgage or Hop Sing (since the 21st amendment removed the need for such).

The Guardian - Travel

Of all the senators who attempted Wednesday to rally support for the doomed Manchin-Toomey background check amendment, Connecticut's Democratic freshman representative, Chris Murphy, probably faced the greatest temptation to borrow the moral authority of the Newtown families.

The Guardian - Opinion

Now the Home Office is once again increasing the number of local authorities involved, alongside controversial plans to place a duty on universities, schools and local authorities to "prevent people from being drawn into terrorism", through an amendment to the counter-terror and security bill, which is at the Lords report stage.

The Guardian

It will be debated in Stormont on Tuesday, with Sinn Féin indicating it will vote against the amendment.

The Guardian

So the constitutional tradition Americans should be defending now is a tradition that extends far beyond whatever boundary the fourth amendment has in space, place, or time.

The Guardian - Tech

Americans should be defending not merely a right to be free from the oppressive attentions of the national government, not merely fighting for something embodied in the due process clause of the 14th amendment.

The Guardian - Tech

Thankfully, excellent and skilled non-profit organisations like the Bay Area's Muslim Advocates offer free information and video tutorials educating all Americans – regardless of faith or race – about their fourth amendment rights and the limits of TSA questioning.

The Guardian - Opinion

The motion contends Mosby's speech was in violation of the 14th amendment, which enshrines the right to equal protection under the law.

The Guardian

Australian negotiators in Lima have been arguing against an amendment made two years ago in Doha about the exclusion of deforestation from the definition on emissions – a technical fight which could increase the emission reductions Australia needs to make by 2020 by a 2%.

The Guardian

"NSW Labor welcomes the decision of the Palestinian Authority to commit to a demilitarised Palestine with the presence of international peacekeepers, including US forces," the amendment said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal or formal documents, use "amendment" to specifically refer to a formal change or addition. Avoid using more general terms like "change" or "modification" if precision is required.

Common error

An addendum is typically used to add information to the end of a document without altering the original text. An "amendment", however, directly modifies the existing content. Use "addendum" for supplementary information and "amendment" for actual changes to the original text.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "amendment" is that of a noun. It typically functions as the subject or object of a sentence, referring to a formal change or addition made to a document or system. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is widely used in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "amendment" functions primarily as a noun and refers to a formal change or addition, usually to a legal document or system. As Ludwig AI highlights, its grammatical status is correct, and its usage is very common across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science. While "amendment" is often used interchangeably with synonyms like "revision" or "modification", it's crucial to understand its specific connotation of a formal alteration. To prevent confusion, remember that an "amendment" changes the existing text, whereas an "addendum" only adds information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

revision

This alternative focuses on the process of reviewing and improving something, similar to making an amendment.

modification

This term highlights the act of changing or altering something, akin to amending it.

alteration

This suggests a change or modification, often to improve or correct something.

adjustment

This focuses on making a slight change to improve accuracy or suitability.

emendation

This term refers specifically to correcting errors in a text.

revision

This emphasizes a more comprehensive review and correction process.

clause addition

This specifies the addition of a new section or provision to a document.

textual modification

This emphasizes changes made specifically to the wording of a document.

legislative change

This alternative focuses on altering laws or regulations.

policy revision

This refers to the process of updating or changing a policy.

FAQs

How is the term "amendment" typically used in legal contexts?

In legal contexts, "amendment" refers to a formal alteration or addition to a law, constitution, or other legal document. For instance, the Bill of Rights comprises the first ten "amendments to the United States Constitution".

What are some common synonyms for "amendment"?

Common synonyms for "amendment" include "revision", "modification", "alteration", and "adjustment". The best choice depends on the specific context.

How does an "amendment" differ from an addendum?

An "amendment" changes the existing text of a document, while an addendum adds supplementary information without altering the original document. Therefore, you should use "addendum" for adding information.

Can an "amendment" be used in contexts other than legal or political?

Yes, while commonly used in legal and political contexts, "amendment" can also refer to any change made to improve something. For example, you might make an "amendment" to a business plan or a research paper.