modify

modify — verb

1. to make small adjustments to a plan, object, document, or system so that it work

1.動詞及物B1
釋義

to make small adjustments to a plan, object, document, or system so that it works better or becomes more suitable for what is needed

例句

Emily asked the tailor to modify the dress pattern so it would fit her perfectly.

modify + noun phrase for improvement

The engineers modified the car engine to make it run more quietly on the highway.

同義詞
  • adjust

    suggests fine-tuning to match a standard or condition; often used for settings, positions, or small mechanical changes

  • alter

    can imply a slightly bigger change than 'modify'; common for clothing, documents, and structural changes

  • revise

    mainly used for written or planned material such as essays, contracts, or schedules

  • adapt

    emphasises making something suitable for a new use or situation

反義詞
  • preserve

    keeping something exactly as it is, without any changes

  • maintain

    keeping something in its existing state through regular care

文法句型

modify + noun phrase

用法筆記

Unlike the broader verb 'change', 'modify' nearly always implies a partial or limited adjustment — you keep most of the original and improve specific parts. Frequently used with plans, designs, machines, contracts, and written texts.

常見錯誤

❌I modified my entire career path.
✅I completely changed my career path.
💡'Modify' suggests small adjustments, not a total transformation.
❌She modified her clothes by cutting them into pieces.
✅She altered her clothes by cutting them into a new shape.
💡When the change is radical, use 'transform' or 'completely change', not 'modify'.

2. in the study of grammar, a word or expression that gives extra detail about a di

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

in the study of grammar, a word or expression that gives extra detail about a different word or narrows the set of things that word can refer to is said to modify it — for example, when the adjective 'red' appears before 'dress', it tells you the colour of the clothing

例句

In the phrase 'a bright red dress', the word 'bright' modifies the adjective 'red' by telling us the shade.

adjective modifies another adjective in a noun phrase

Adverbs often modify verbs by showing how, when, or where an action takes place.

同義詞
  • qualify

    more formal grammatical term; 'qualify' focuses on limiting or restricting the meaning

  • describe

    less technical; focuses on giving information rather than limiting meaning

  • limit

    emphasises the restricting function of modification

文法句型

[modifying word] + modifies + [modified word]

用法筆記

This is a technical grammatical sense. The word or phrase that does the modifying is called a 'modifier'. Adjectives modify nouns; adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Relative clauses modify nouns.

常見錯誤

❌The adverb happily modifies the sentence.
✅The adverb happily modifies the verb smiled by describing how.
💡Be specific about which word the modifier affects and in what way.

3. to make something such as an opinion, a demand, or a punishment less strong, ext

3.動詞及物B2
釋義

to make something such as an opinion, a demand, or a punishment less strong, extreme, or harsh

例句

The judge modified the prison sentence after considering the young man's clean past record.

modify + legal punishment noun

Théo modified his strong opinion after listening carefully to his colleague's point of view.

modify + opinion / view

同義詞
  • moderate

    more formal; often used for tempering behaviour or demands

  • soften

    less formal; suggests making something gentler or less harsh

  • tone down

    phrasal verb; informal, used for language, opinions, or reactions

  • temper

    formal; suggests adding restraint or balance

反義詞
  • intensify

    to make something stronger or more extreme

  • worsen

    to make a situation or condition worse

  • aggravate

    to make a problem or offence more serious

文法句型

modify + [abstract noun: opinion, demand, statement, sentence]

用法筆記

This sense overlaps with 'moderate' (verb) and 'tone down'. It is common in formal and legal contexts — for example, modifying a sentence, a penalty, or terms of an agreement. The subject is usually a person in authority.

常見錯誤

❌The doctor modified the patient's physical pain.
✅The doctor reduced the patient's pain.
💡'Modify' is not the natural word for reducing physical pain; use 'relieve' or 'reduce' instead.
❌Please modify your voice.
✅Please lower your voice.' or 'Please tone your voice down.
💡'Modify' is too broad and abstract for everyday spoken instructions.