Topic: GRAMMAR
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| Date: | 1300-1400 |
| Language: | French |
| Origin: | modifier, from Latin modificare 'to measure, moderate', from modus; MODE |
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mod‧i‧fy
past tense and past participle modified, present participle modifying, third person singular modifies [transitive]
past tense and past participle modified, present participle modifying, third person singular modifies [transitive]1 to make small changes to something in order to improve it and make it more suitable or effective [= adapt]: 
The feedback will be used to modify the course for next year.The regulations can only be modified by a special committee.
The feedback will be used to modify the course for next year.The regulations can only be modified by a special committee.2 technicalSLG if an adjective, adverb etc modifies another word, it describes something or limits the word's meaning. In the phrase 'walk slowly', the adverb 'slowly' modifies the verb 'walk'.
WORD FOCUS: change WORD FOCUS: change
to change something: alter, adapt, adjust, amend, modify, revise, vary
to change a system or organization: restructure, reorganize, reform
to change something completely: transform, revolutionize
to change facts or information, or change what someone has said: twist, distort, misrepresent
easily changed: flexible, adaptable
impossible to change: fixed, final, irrevocable
➔ See also change
WORD FOCUS: change to change something: alter, adapt, adjust, amend, modify, revise, vary
to change a system or organization: restructure, reorganize, reform
to change something completely: transform, revolutionize
to change facts or information, or change what someone has said: twist, distort, misrepresent
easily changed: flexible, adaptable
impossible to change: fixed, final, irrevocable
➔ See also change
