modifies by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "modifies by" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts discussing grammar or syntax, but it is more common to see "modified by" instead. Example: "In the sentence, the adjective modifies the noun by providing additional information."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But he gets a lot of mileage out of "golly," a word he modifies by elongating the first syllable and stressing the second one, which gives it the same general shape as an extended "God damn".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Temperatures are often modified by sea winds.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Basically we were genetically modified by aliens.

The Guardian - Music

That interpretation has now been modified by the Strasbourg judges.

The Guardian

They cannot be so modified by the Greek government.

The New York Times

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

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Fischer carbenes can be modified by electron-rich groups.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The respiratory rate (rate of breathing) is modified by disease.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The cliffs have been much modified by landslides.

Encyclopedia Britannica

On Jan . 14 , 1991the flag was modified by order of Pres.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A continental climate modified by Atlantic influences prevails.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "modifies by" in formal writing. Opt for more common and grammatically accepted alternatives like "is modified by", "is altered by", or "is changed by".

Common error

Don't assume "modifies by" is an acceptable active voice construction. It's often better to use a passive construction like "is modified by" to clearly show what is being acted upon.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "modifies by" functions awkwardly as a verb phrase attempting to describe the action of modifying something. However, it's grammatically unconventional and rarely used in standard English. As Ludwig AI explains, this construction is not standard.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "modifies by" appears in some contexts, it's not considered standard English and is flagged by Ludwig AI as potentially confusing. The preferred alternative is the passive construction "is modified by". Given its grammatical awkwardness and limited usage, it's best to use more common and accepted alternatives in formal writing. As such, the phrase is rarely seen in authoritative sources and should be approached with caution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is modified by

Passive voice construction emphasizing the entity being changed.

is altered by

Replaces "modifies" with "altered", a synonym with a slightly different connotation.

is changed by

Uses the simpler verb "changed" to indicate transformation.

is influenced by

Emphasizes the impact or effect one thing has on another.

is affected by

Similar to "influenced by", but suggests a more direct effect.

is shaped by

Suggests a more formative or defining influence.

is determined by

Indicates that something is decided or controlled by another factor.

is conditioned by

Suggests that something is dependent on certain conditions or factors.

is transformed by

Highlights a significant change or alteration.

is adjusted by

Implies a slight change to bring something into a more desirable state.

FAQs

What's a more grammatically sound way to say "modifies by"?

Prefer the passive voice construction "is modified by". For example, instead of "The program modifies by user input", say "The program is modified by user input".

Are there alternatives to "modifies by" that imply a change?

Yes, you can use phrases like "is altered by", "is changed by", or "is transformed by" depending on the context and the extent of the change.

When is it appropriate to use a phrase similar to "modifies by"?

While "modifies by" is generally not recommended, similar phrases using "by" are acceptable when describing the means or agent of modification. For instance, "modified by hand" or "adjusted by software" are acceptable because they specify the method of modification.

Is there a difference between "modifies by" and "modified by"?

Yes, "modified by" is the past participle form used in passive constructions and is grammatically correct. "Modifies by" is generally considered incorrect or awkward in standard English.