modify something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "modify something" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe the act of changing or adjusting something in a sentence or statement. Example: "I had to modify my essay to meet the word count requirement." In this sentence, the speaker is describing how they had to make changes to their essay in order to fit a specific word count. "Modify" is used to convey the idea of altering or adjusting something. Another example: "She asked me to modify my tone in the email before sending it to our boss." Here, "modify" is used to indicate that the speaker was asked to change the tone of their email before sending it. This emphasizes the act of adjusting or modifying something in order to achieve a desired result.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Why try to improve, or modify, something that is perfect?

The New Yorker

"The libraries we provide are all open so they can just modify something, change it for their own purposes".

TechCrunch

One of the hidden secrets of software development is that every time you want to modify something, it takes at least two weeks.

Forbes

"Sometimes we would end up making special tools to modify something they'd purchased elsewhere".

Los Angeles Times

"Eighty percent of adults in my experience do need to modify something in their exercise routines because of some type of musculoskeletal ailment," says Nick DiNubile, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon and author of four books, including Framework: Your 7-step Program for Healthy Muscles, Bones and Joints.

Huffington Post

Try to modify something and learn from the Internet about how to get person attention.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

I don't like Modified Hours, because that implies it's modifying something more standard.

The Washington Post

The end-result of the design process can be new too, but not necessarily, because design can be equally useful in modifying something that already exists, ideally by improving on the original.

The New York Times - Arts

It's an adjective that modifies something with mental capability.

Forbes

In all likelihood, when a new trait evolves or an existing one is modified, something is sacrificed in return.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

And so from the developer's point of view it's very simple — I connect this module to my product and I enjoy all of this higher level functionality — and at the same time I don't have the hazard of inadvertently modifying something that's going to compromise the security," he adds.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing instructions or guidance, use "modify something" to encourage users to customize or adapt existing elements rather than creating entirely new ones, which can save time and effort.

Common error

In highly formal or academic writing, consider using more precise verbs like "adjust", "revise", or "adapt" to convey the specific type of modification you're describing instead of the more general "modify something".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "modify something" functions as a verb phrase where "modify" is a transitive verb requiring a direct object. It describes the act of making changes or adjustments to an unspecified item. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is valid and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

24%

Science

18%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "modify something" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for indicating the act of making changes or adjustments. It is confirmed by Ludwig AI as appropriate for general use. While not exceedingly common, the phrase appears across diverse sources, including news outlets, wikis, and scientific publications. When writing, remember that more specific verbs may provide greater clarity in formal contexts, while "modify something" remains a versatile choice for general communication. Consider related phrases like ""adjust something"" or ""alter something"" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adjust something

Emphasizes fine-tuning or making small alterations.

alter something

Focuses on changing the nature or form of something.

change something

A general term for making something different.

adapt something

Highlights making something suitable for a new purpose or condition.

revise something

Suggests a more thorough review and alteration.

transform something

Implies a significant change in form or appearance.

reshape something

Focuses on altering the shape or structure.

refine something

Highlights the improvement of something through small changes.

tweak something

Suggests making minor adjustments for optimization.

correct something

Emphasizes fixing errors or inaccuracies.

FAQs

How can I use "modify something" in a sentence?

You can use "modify something" to describe the act of making changes or adjustments to an unspecified object or situation. For example, "You may need to modify something in the code to fix the bug".

What are some alternatives to using "modify something"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "adjust something", "alter something", or "change something".

Is it better to say "modify something" or "make changes to something"?

"Modify something" is more concise. "Make changes to something" is more verbose but can sometimes provide clarity depending on the situation.

What's the difference between "modify something" and "improve something"?

"Modify something" means to change it, while "improve something" means to make it better. You might "modify something" without necessarily improving it, and vice versa.