What does modified mean?
Word: Modified
Part of Speech: Verb, adjective
Meaning: Modified means changed a little, usually to make something work better or suit a new purpose. It is the past tense of modify.
Synonyms: adjusted, revised
Antonyms: unchanged, original
How do you spell modified?
Syllables: mod - i - fied
Tricky part: The y at the end of modify turns into i before ed: modify, modified. Writers who keep the y end up with modifyed.
Watch out for: modifyed, moddified
Memory tip: Modify behaves like carry and cry: carried, cried, modified. Whenever a consonant sits before the y, swap y for i and add ed.
Modified in a sentence
Example 1: Dad modified the old cycle with a basket so Grandma could carry vegetables.
Example 2: The rules of the game were modified so that younger children could play too.
Example 3: The school timetable was modified so that the exams finish before Diwali.
Fun Fact
Modify comes from Latin modificare, to limit or measure, built on modus, a measure or manner. Mode, model and modest share that root.
Practise the CREST Way
Spell-o-Spell
Only one word in the list is spelt correctly. Choose the meaning of that word.
1. seperated 2. modified 3. tommorow 4. benifited
a) got help or an advantage from something
b) changed a little to suit a purpose
c) moved or kept apart from each other
d) the day after today
Show answer
b) changed a little to suit a purpose. The other three slip: separate has par in the middle, tomorrow has one m but rr, and benefit begins bene.
Word Connection
Choose the word closest in meaning to modified as used in the sentence:
The engineers modified the bridge design so that it could carry heavier lorries.
a) abandoned
b) preserved
c) praised
d) altered
Show answer
d) altered. To modify a design is to alter it; preserved would mean keeping it as it was.
Word Cookie
Insert the correct pair of letters to form a word:
m_d_fied
a) a, i
b) u, i
c) o, e
d) o, i
Show answer
d) o, i. The word begins with mod, as in model, and the next vowel is i: mod-i-fied.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the word in the sentence and choose it:
The tailor ifdmedio the old kurta so that it fits my younger brother.
a) notified
b) mortified
c) modified
d) modifier
Show answer
c) modified. There are two d's and no r, t or n, so the letters make modified.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which plate of dal was made from a modified recipe?
a) Grandma's dal, with less chilli for the baby
b) a dal recipe copied from a cookbook
c) Grandma's dal, cooked just as she taught
d) a packet of dal bought ready-made
Show answer
a) Grandma's dal, with less chilli for the baby
2. Which phrase uses modified as an adjective?
a) we modified our plan
b) a modified kite
c) they modified the rules
d) he has modified it
Show answer
b) a modified kite
