in order to modify

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in order to modify" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when explaining the purpose of an action, specifically when that action is intended to change or alter something. Example: "The software was updated in order to modify its performance and enhance user experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So in order to modify a strain of bacteria to produce bixin, they also had to re-engineer it to produce lycopene.

The New York Times - Science

Explain that in order to modify their assigned painting, it is important to know about the artist's purpose for creating this work.

The New York Times

"In order to modify loans beyond that framework, you have to have the consent of 100percentt of the holders of the affected securities," Ms. Darwin said.

The New York Times

Genetic engineering, the artificial manipulation, modification, and recombination of DNA or other nucleic acid molecules in order to modify an organism or population of organisms.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Polysaccharides are incorporated into cement based systems in order to modify the rheological properties.

Construction and Building Materials

In order to modify the slope of the Woehler curves, the material was considered non-linear.

International Journal of Fatigue

In order to modify its surface properties, nitrogen PBII treatments were performed.

Surface and Coatings Technology

In order to modify the fibre/matrix interface, NaOH treatment and glass fibre hybridisation were employed.

Composites Part B: Engineering

The benzoxazines are copolymerized with an epoxy resin in order to modify their performance.

Polymer

We follow this idea and use contractions to approximate the nonexpansive mapping in order to modify Byrne's algorithm.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

The code section is then completely executed in order to modify the driving session conditions if necessary.

European Transport Research Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in order to modify", ensure the sentence clearly indicates what is being modified and the desired outcome of the modification.

Common error

Avoid using passive voice constructions that obscure who or what is performing the modification. Instead of "Changes were made in order to modify the system", prefer "We made changes in order to modify the system" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in order to modify" functions as an adverbial phrase of purpose. As supported by Ludwig's examples, it connects an action with its intended result of changing or altering something. It explains why something is done.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

65%

News & Media

18%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

According to Ludwig, the phrase "in order to modify" is grammatically correct and very common in written English. Functioning as an adverbial phrase of purpose, it explains the intention behind an action – to change or alter something. While suitable for various contexts, this phrase is frequently used in scientific, news, and formal business writing. Key alternatives include "to modify" or "for the purpose of". When employing "in order to modify", clarity is paramount. Ensure you clearly identify what is being modified and the desired outcome, while avoiding passive voice constructions. By following these guidelines, you can effectively communicate your intended purpose in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to modify

This is a shorter, more direct way of expressing the same intention, omitting the "in order to" phrasing.

to alter

This uses "alter" as a synonym for modify, providing a slight variation in vocabulary.

so as to change

This alternative uses "so as to" instead of "in order to", with a more explicit mention of "change".

with the intention of modifying

This is a longer, more explicit way of expressing the intent to modify.

in an effort to modify

This phrase highlights the attempt or "effort" being made to achieve the modification.

with the aim of modifying

This phrase introduces the explicit intention or "aim" behind the modification.

for the purpose of modification

This version focuses on the "purpose" behind the action, making it slightly more formal.

with a view to modifying

This is a more formal alternative, using "with a view to" to express the intention.

to transform

This uses "transform" which suggests a more dramatic or complete change than modify.

for the sake of modifying

This highlights that the modification itself is the reason for taking an action.

FAQs

How can I use "in order to modify" in a sentence?

Use "in order to modify" to express the reason or purpose behind an action intended to change something. For example, "The code was refactored "in order to modify" its performance."

What are some alternatives to using "in order to modify"?

You can use alternatives like "to change", "so as to alter", or "for the purpose of" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "in order to modify" and simply using "to modify"?

"To modify" is more concise, while "in order to modify" can emphasize the purposefulness of the action. Both are grammatically correct.

When is it best to use "in order to modify" instead of a simpler phrase?

Use "in order to modify" when you want to explicitly highlight the intention and purpose behind the act of modifying something, especially in formal or technical writing.