to modify
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to modify
To change, alter, or adapt something in a particular way, often in order to improve it or make it suitable for a new purpose.
Wir müssen den ursprünglichen Plan leicht modifizieren, um die Kosten zu senken.
We need to modify the original plan slightly in order to reduce costs.
to modify
In biology and genetics: to deliberately alter the genetic material of an organism.
Diese Maissorte wurde genetisch modifiziert, um sie resistent gegen Schädlinge zu machen.
This variety of corn was genetically modified to make it resistant to pests.
to modify
In linguistics: to define or limit the meaning of a word or part of a sentence more precisely through another word.
Im Satz „das schnelle Auto“ modifiziert das Adjektiv „schnelle“ das Substantiv „Auto“.
In the sentence 'das schnelle Auto' (the fast car), the adjective 'schnelle' (fast) modifies the noun 'Auto' (car).
'Modifizieren' (to modify) is a rather formal or technical word for 'verändern' (to change) or 'anpassen' (to adapt). It is often used in technical, scientific, or official contexts.
Der Ingenieur muss die Konstruktion des Motors modifizieren.
The engineer has to modify the design of the engine.
'Modifizieren' (to modify) is a transitive verb and always requires an accusative object. So the question is always: whom or what does someone modify?
Die Autorin modifizierte den letzten Absatz ihres Romans.
The author modified the last paragraph of her novel.
The past participle 'modifiziert' (modified) is very often used as an adjective. The related noun is 'die Modifikation' (the modification).
Nach der Modifikation funktionierte das Programm fehlerfrei.
After the modification, the program worked flawlessly.
You can almost always recognize the meaning 'genetically alter' from the context of biology or from the adverb 'genetisch' (genetically). The phrase 'genetisch modifiziert' (genetically modified) is a fixed collocation.
Viele Lebensmittel enthalten heute genetisch modifizierte Zutaten.
Many foods today contain genetically modified ingredients.
to change
Ändern and modifizieren both refer to a deliberate change. Ändern is the neutral word and can also refer to extensive changes. Modifizieren sounds more technical or formal and often refers to a specific, limited alteration, for example to improve something or make it suitable for a new purpose.
Die Fachleute modifizieren den Plan, damit der technische Ablauf schneller wird.
The experts are modifying the plan so that the technical process will be faster.
Wir ändern den Plan, weil der bisherige Ablauf zu lange dauert.
We are changing the plan because the previous schedule takes too long.
