Cool MateAdjust vs Modify
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Adjust
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
Modify
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
Most common: Adjust
| Adjust | Modify | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈdʒʌst/","/əˈdʒʌsts/","/əˈdʒʌstɪd/","/əˈdʒʌstɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈdʒʌst/","/əˈdʒʌsts/","/əˈdʒʌstɪd/","/əˈdʒʌstɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈmɒdɪfaɪ/","/ˈmɒdɪfaɪz/","/ˈmɒdɪfaɪd/","/ˈmɒdɪfaɪɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈmɑːdɪfaɪ/","/ˈmɑːdɪfaɪz/","/ˈmɑːdɪfaɪd/","/ˈmɑːdɪfaɪɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To change something slightly to make it better or more suitable. | Change something to make it better or different. |
| Example | You need to adjust the brightness of your screen for better visibility. | You can modify the document by adding new sections. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | slightly, finely, automatically, for, quickly, rapidly, gradually, be difficult to, be hard to, need time to, to | considerably, drastically, extensively, have to, need to, for, highly modified, in a modified form, modified to fit something |
| Antonyms | ignore, neglect, remain unchanged | maintain, preserve, keep |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'adapt', which means changing to fit new conditions., Using 'adjust' as a noun, e.g., 'the adjust needs to be made' instead of 'the adjustment needs to be made'., Incorrectly assuming 'adjust' needs a preposition, e.g., 'adjust to something' instead of just 'adjust something'. | Confusing with 'modification', which is the noun form., Using 'modify' without an object, which is incorrect., Overusing 'modify' instead of synonyms like 'change' or 'adjust' in casual speech. |
| Usage notes | Use 'adjust' when talking about small changes. It's appropriate in both casual and formal contexts, but avoid using it in overly casual speech like slang conversations. | Use 'modify' when discussing changes to plans, documents, or objects. It's neutral, so it's appropriate in most contexts, such as academic or business settings. |
Frequently asked questions: Adjust vs Modify
What's the difference between Adjust and Modify?
Adjust: To change something slightly to make it better or more suitable. Modify: Change something to make it better or different.
Which is more common: Adjust and Modify?
Adjust is the most common in everyday English.
Are Adjust and Modify the same CEFR level?
Adjust: B2, Modify: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Adjust and Modify?
Adjust: verb, Modify: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Adjust: You need to adjust the brightness of your screen for better visibility. Modify: You can modify the document by adding new sections.
Can I use Adjust and Modify interchangeably?
Not always. Adjust and Modify are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.