modified quotation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "modified quotation" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to a quotation that has been altered or adapted in some way. For example, "The author provided a modified quotation to better fit the context of the discussion." Alternative expressions include "altered citation" and "adapted quote."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

We end this note with a slightly modified quotation by Albert Einstein: "The world is dangerous to live in, not because of those who do evil (hinder), but because of those who look on and let them do so".

European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The speaker was Martin Amis and, yes, the quotations have been modified, with Asians, Blacks and Irish here substituted for Muslims, and Judaism for Islam - though, it should be stressed, these are the only amendments.

The Guardian

Some quotations have been modified in order to ensure anonymity of respondents.

BMC Public Health

In many instances, verbatim quotations (sometimes slightly modified from the original translation to make the English more understandable) are used to illustrate responses on relevant issues and themes.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

A number of enactments rightly or wrongly attributed to Solon still are known from literary quotations rendering them in a modified form that reflects a legislative reform of 403 402 bce.

Britannica

The pictures too, originally sweet, have been modified by Matthew Myers with scribbles, crude drawings and quotations from the reimagined characters ("Time to get it on, carrot breath!") that populate this new book.

The New York Times - Books

Kenan has modified Baldwin's stressed beat to a flatter "beat" between quotation marks, which is typical of the lazy presentation of this volume.

The New York Times - Books

As the subjects get more complicated, the quotations from great thinkers and Potter's own reflections begin to uncouple: in "On behaviour", a precis of the latest research into the way that genetically modified flies can be made to behave is weaved with quotations from Thucydides and Tolstoy's Resurrection, Tales of My Army Life, and War and Peace.

The Guardian - Books

As the subjects get more complicated, the quotations from great thinkers and Potter's own reflections begin to uncouple: in "On behaviour", a precis of the latest research into the way that genetically modified flies can be made to behave is weaved with quotations from Thucydides and Tolstoy's Resurrection, Tales of My Army Life, and War and Peace.

The Guardian - Books

Further evidence has been found in the quotation based on Luke 22 15 (22.4), where the saying has been modified by insertion of the word "flesh" to provide a rationale for vegetarianism.

Wikipedia

To use direct quotations in his article, Mr. Peters would need to e-mail them to campaign press aides, to be approved for use, nixed or modified.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the primary meaning of the original author is not distorted by your modifications.

Common error

Avoid changing a quotation without notifying the reader; failing to label it as a "modified quotation" or using proper punctuation can lead to accusations of misquotation or plagiarism.

Linguistic Context

In linguistic terms, "modified quotation" serves as a noun phrase where the past participle "modified" acts as a functional adjective describing the state of the noun "quotation". According to Ludwig, it identifies a specific linguistic object that has undergone transformation from its source state.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

45%

Academia

30%

News & Media

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

10%

Informal

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "modified quotation" is a vital tool for writers who value accuracy and transparency. As evidenced by Ludwig AI data, it is most frequently utilized in Science and Academia to indicate that a source text has been adjusted—often to preserve anonymity or to make a translation more readable. While the phrase itself is relatively rare compared to more generic terms, its presence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its importance in professional discourse. When using it, writers should be careful to maintain the original intent of the speaker while clearly marking any changes with appropriate punctuation, such as brackets.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

altered quote

Uses a more informal synonym for modified

lightly edited quote

Specifies the degree of modification performed

adapted citation

Implies the quote was adjusted to fit a new context or format

modified excerpt

Specifies that only a portion of the text was changed

revised extract

Suggests a formal process of correction or update

adjusted reference

Broadens the scope to include the entire citation entry

tailored quotation

Implies the modification was done to suit a specific purpose

amended citation

Uses a legalistic or highly formal term for modification

edited passage

Focuses on the editorial act of changing the text

paraphrased remark

Shifts the meaning slightly toward restating in one's own words

FAQs

How to use "modified quotation" in a sentence?

You can use it to clarify why a text looks different from the original, such as: "The author provided a "modified quotation" to ensure the privacy of the participants."

What is the difference between "modified quotation" and a "paraphrase"?

A "modified quotation" keeps most original words but changes specific parts for clarity, while a "paraphrase" restates the entire idea in your own words.

Which is more formal, "modified quotation" or "changed quote"?

The phrase "modified quotation" is significantly more formal and is preferred in "academic writing" compared to a "changed quote".

Is it okay to use a "modified quotation" in a thesis?

Yes, provided you follow style guides like APA or MLA, which usually require you to acknowledge the "adapted text" using brackets or parentheses.