modify

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'modify' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use 'modify' when you want to change something, usually in a small way. For example: "I need to modify the plan in order to make it more efficient."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Using a dictionary structure makes it easy to change the content sent to the template but I don't want the template to modify the contents as it renders it.

The Guardian

There was an uncertainty about how these people would be different and whether we would have to modify our behaviour.

The Guardian - Film

They've had to modify their design, re-think their market and discover ways to fund their unorthodox technology company.

The Guardian

In a commentary accompanying the paper, two other psychologists, Gordon Feld and Jan Born, write: "The findings highlight the breadth of possible applications to permanently modify any unwanted behaviour by targeted memory reactivation during sleep".

The Guardian

We modify our previous view of margin decline in the long term and now assume stable profit levels.

The Guardian - Business

'The presence of 'disturbed and previously logged forest' and 'pine and exotic eucalypt plantations' within the world heritage area is not a sound basis upon which to seek to modify its boundary," the legal group's submission said.

The Guardian

Her lawyers argue that Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires officers to "reasonably" modify arrest procedures when confronting people who have mental illness; San Francisco says the ADA does not apply to arrests, especially with public safety at stake.

The Guardian

"In August we came out and made quite a lot of suggestions to modify it, but it was going up so quickly," said Von Bertele.

The Guardian

In fact, Mendes's training in the distinctively British culture of subsidised theatre - and the awe-inspiringly intelligent way he was able to modify this training for film - are the only things Brit patriots can feel warm about.

The Guardian

For Jorge Campanini, from Bolivia's Documentation and Information Centre (CEDIB), the "scariest thing" about the new law is the power it gives to companies who will now be able to "radically" modify the way "protected areas" are used.

The Guardian

The reaction to Shame, with its copious nudity, untrammelled rawness and explicit subject matter helped to modify, if not entirely destroy, Mulligan's wholesome image – she has described herself as "baby-faced".

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "modify" when you want to indicate a partial or limited change to something, rather than a complete transformation. For example, "modify" a plan, but "redesign" a building.

Common error

Avoid using "modify" when the intended change is substantial. Words like "transform", "overhaul", or "revolutionize" might be more appropriate to convey the magnitude of the alteration.

Linguistic Context

The verb "modify" functions as a dynamic descriptor, indicating the action of making changes, often partial, to something. Ludwig AI shows that "modify" is frequently used across various domains, highlighting its versatile application in conveying alterations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "modify" is a versatile verb used to describe making changes, typically partial, to something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it enjoys widespread usage across varied contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific domains. When writing, remember to reserve "modify" for alterations that are less than a complete transformation. For substantial changes, consider stronger verbs like "transform" or "overhaul". By understanding its nuances and usage patterns, you can effectively incorporate "modify" into your writing to convey precise and meaningful alterations. The related phrases provide valuable alternatives depending on the specific type of change you want to describe.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adapt

Focuses on adjusting to new conditions or purposes.

adjust

Implies making small changes to achieve a better fit or result.

alter

Suggests a more significant change, but not necessarily a complete transformation.

revise

Specifically refers to improving something by editing or rewriting.

amend

Used for making formal changes, especially to legal documents.

tweak

Implies making very small, often subtle adjustments.

reshape

Suggests a more dramatic change, altering the form or structure.

rework

Indicates a complete overhaul or redesign.

transform

Implies a complete change in form or appearance.

vary

Suggests introducing differences or changes to avoid uniformity.

FAQs

How can I use "modify" in a sentence?

You can use "modify" to indicate making partial changes to something. For example, "The software allows users to "modify settings" according to their preferences."

What are some alternatives to the word "modify"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "alter", "adjust", or "adapt" as replacements for "modify".

Is it correct to say "modify the original"?

Yes, it is correct to say "modify the original". It indicates that you are making changes to the initial or first version of something. However, consider alternatives like "revise the original" for a more precise meaning.

What is the difference between "modify" and "change"?

"Modify" suggests making partial or limited changes, while "change" is a broader term that can imply a more significant or complete alteration. You might "modify a setting" slightly, but "change your mind" completely.