modified by a

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "modified by a" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are describing how something is changed or altered by a specific factor or element. Example: "The data set was modified by a new algorithm to improve accuracy."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This was modified by a speaker to "might possibly be one of her last performances".

The New York Times - Arts

What's more, "tau" proteins in the neurons of their brains are modified by a process called hyperphosphorylation.

The Guardian

It was further modified by a French missionary, Alexandre de Rhodes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 2011, Autodesk bought a website called Instructables, which features more than 100,000 user-created projects that are shared with – and modified by – a community of designers.

The Guardian

But last October, a Volkswagen Touareg controlled by a computer and modified by a group of Stanford researchers claimed the $1 million prize.

The New York Times - Tech

Noun roots are modified by a welter of adjectival prefixes; the addition of the letter "h," for example, can alter a meaning dramatically.

The New Yorker

The digital representation of the voice can then be modified by a DSP using complex mathematical formulas.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The landuse map was modified by a field check.

Geoenvironmental Disasters

First, we see how a Wiimote can be modified by a yo-yo into a sort of sample trigger.

TechCrunch

Unfortunately, the binding information can also be modified by a malicious ICMP message.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The sum of modified signals (total activation) is thereafter modified by a sigmoid transfer function (f).

Applied Water Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "modified by a", ensure that the agent causing the modification is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "The algorithm was modified by a team of engineers."

Common error

Avoid using "modified by a" without specifying who or what performed the modification. Vague statements such as "The data was modified by a process" are less informative than "The data was modified by a data cleansing process."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "modified by a" functions as a passive construction, indicating that something has undergone a change or alteration caused by an agent. Ludwig shows this pattern across various sentence structures and contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "modified by a" is a grammatically correct and frequently used construction, as validated by Ludwig. It serves to describe how something has been changed or altered by a specific agent or factor. It appears most commonly in scientific and news contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When using "modified by a", it's important to specify the agent causing the modification to ensure clarity. Consider alternatives like "altered by a" or "changed by a" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

altered by a

This alternative emphasizes the act of changing something, maintaining a similar level of formality.

changed by a

This alternative is a simpler and more direct way of expressing modification, suitable for less formal contexts.

influenced by a

This alternative highlights the impact on something without necessarily implying a complete change.

affected by a

This alternative denotes being acted upon, often implying a change or impact.

adjusted by a

This suggests a slight alteration to improve performance or accuracy.

adapted by a

This emphasizes the process of making something suitable for a new purpose or condition.

transformed by a

This highlights a significant change in form or appearance.

shaped by a

This focuses on how something's development is directed.

revised by a

This suggests improvements or corrections were made.

improved by a

This indicates that something has been made better.

FAQs

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

You can use "modified by a" to describe how something has been changed or altered by a specific factor or agent. For example, "The software was "modified by a" new update to improve performance."

What's a good alternative to "modified by a"?

Alternatives to "modified by a" include "altered by a", "changed by a", or "influenced by a", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "modified by a" or "amended by a"?

The choice between "modified by a" and "amended by a" depends on the context. "Amended by a" is more appropriate when referring to formal documents or legal texts where corrections or additions have been made, while "modified by a" is suitable for general changes or alterations.

What's the difference between "modified by a" and "adjusted by a"?

"Modified by a" generally refers to a broad change, while "adjusted by a" implies a fine-tuning or calibration. For instance, "The recipe was "modified by a" new ingredient", versus "The settings were "adjusted by a" technician".