modified a bit

USAGE SUMMARY

"modified a bit" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means to alter or adjust something slightly or slightly change something. Example: The recipe was a bit too spicy for my taste, so I modified it a bit by reducing the amount of chili powder.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

That view has been modified, a bit, in recent years to reflect research by Alan Krueger and David Card suggesting that employment effects of moderate increases in the minimum wage — the kind typically enacted by Congress — can be neutral or slightly positive, due in part to greater employee retention and higher productivity.

The Washington Post

In fact, it really is, just modified a bit.

TechCrunch

Top Chef Brian Voltaggio (of Volt Restaurant fame in Frederick MD) offers up "things you'd see at the family table," modified a bit - OK, a lot - in the new could-be-anywhere mixed-use center called One Loudoun.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Users do not need to append or modify a bit of the binary codes for the testing purpose.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Her recipe, which I adapted and modified a fair bit, contained both cashews and coconut, along with a mixture of spices in a pungent, creamy sauce.

The New York Times - Food

Some of the fireworks are modified a little bit to get the right look and feel.

Vice

OK, so I modified that a bit.

The Guardian - Film

But we modified her a bit to look more like a Japanese for the sake of the Japanese audience, and also since a character that looks completely French makes some of the CG expressions difficult".

Wikipedia

"Counting the Civil War Dead" does more than modify a hoary bit of Civil War trivia; instead, it implicitly asks us to consider several questions that lie at the heart of the modern historical enterprise.

Johns Hopkins University

Your goal is not to change your whole ration but modify it a bit.

WikiHow

As he approaches retirement age, the author of several books about retirement looks back on the advice he dispensed and modifies it a bit.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "modified a bit" when you want to convey that changes were minor and not drastic. It softens the statement, suggesting flexibility and adaptation without fundamental alteration.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on phrases like "modified a bit" without specifying the exact nature or extent of the modifications, especially in technical or formal writing. Always provide context or details to clarify the changes made.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "modified a bit" functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies a verb, indicating the extent or degree of the modification. Ludwig confirms that this is grammatically correct. Examples show it describing how something was changed slightly rather than completely.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "modified a bit" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to indicate that something has been slightly altered. As supported by Ludwig, its function is to modify a verb, showing the degree of change is minor. While versatile, it leans towards informal contexts. When aiming for precision, consider providing more specifics about the modifications. For formal settings, alternatives like "slightly altered" might be more appropriate. It appears frequently in News & Media, Science, and Wiki source types. This reflects its broad applicability in expressing that adjustments have occurred without fundamental changes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

modified slightly

Mirrors the original phrase but uses 'slightly' instead of 'a bit'.

slightly altered

Indicates a small change or adjustment has been made.

somewhat adjusted

Suggests a moderate level of change to something.

tweaked slightly

Implies a minor adjustment, often to improve performance or quality.

adjusted marginally

Highlights that the adjustment was small and almost insignificant.

altered minimally

Emphasizes the small extent of the alteration.

changed a little

A more informal way of saying something was altered to a small extent.

somewhat revised

Indicates a review and alteration, though not extensively.

a touch modified

Emphasizes the subtlety and delicacy of modification

adapted marginally

Specifies alteration with the intent to make it fit new requirements

FAQs

How can I use "modified a bit" in a sentence?

You can use "modified a bit" to indicate a slight change or adjustment. For example, "The recipe was good, but I "modified it a bit" to suit my taste".

What's a more formal alternative to "modified a bit"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "slightly altered", "somewhat adjusted", or "minimally revised".

Is it better to say "modified a bit" or "modified slightly"?

Both "modified a bit" and "modified slightly" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice depends on the context and desired tone; "modified a bit" may sound slightly more informal.

When should I avoid using the phrase "modified a bit"?

Avoid using "modified a bit" in contexts where precise details are necessary. In technical documentation or scientific reports, be specific about the modifications made instead of using vague language.