Today’s English
August 2nd, 2017
Change versus modify
Change means to make something different or to become different completely from the earlier state whereas modify refers to "to slightly change something as you wish or need." If you change your dress, you wear a different dress and if the signal changes from red to green, it completely changes. You cannot use “modify" here.
Modification occurs when you make slight changes to a software to make it suitable for the current requirements. You can modify the content of a document that means that you make slight changes in the words or structures and you don’t change it completely.
1. I changed my mind not to go there. (Complete change from earlier state).
2. Have you changed your car? What happened to the old one?
3. You can modify it a little rather than buying a new one.
4. I feel, we can slightly modify the design to make it damn good.
People are generally shocked at complete change. Anything can change for the better but an unwanted change that creates troubles on the way of other people is denoted by the expression “move the goal posts". A complete change of opinion, plan or behaviour is called “an about-turn" and “turn into a new leaf.” If you change yourself according to the circumstances, to the current needs of the time, it is said that “you move with the times.” There is another beautiful expression that a leopard can’t /doesn’t change its spots that means, a person cannot change his nature, behaviour or character, especially something bad completely. If you change a person in the middle of the work, as said in the English expression, “change the horse in the middle of a race", you will be the loser.
1. We’re going to the park, not to the movie. Why have you taken the about-turn?
2. What can we do if the management often moves the goalposts? (=often changes it’s rules, policies, plans)
3. It is said, Gandhiji turned into a new leaf after watching the drama “Harichanthra.”
4. His dressing and the old specs showed that he didn’t move with the times.
5. Once she decides, nobody can change her mind, You know, a leopard can’t change its spots.
6. The manager shouldn’t have removed her from the team. Now he feels sorry for changing the horse in the middle of the race.
Alter versus change
Like modification, alter means slight change in something, not complete change. Though in some places, alter and change can be used interchangeably, alter always sound more formal than change. Alter is specifically used in changing the size, design, structure and appearance of something. You can alter the new dress according to your height and here you cannot use the word change or modify.
1. Do you need any alterations in this dress?
2. We have proposed to alter the elevation of the house.
3. Any alterations or additions in features would invite extra charges.
Chillax!
Wife: I’ve decided to stop watching TV serials.
Hubby: It’s a change for the better.
Wife: I’m also thinking of uninstalling whatsapp and Facebook.
Hubby: you’ve turned into a new leaf.
Wife: I’d like to install some edutainment apps for our kids.
Hubby: Well, you move with the times.
Wife: I even advised my friend not to quarrel with her husband and apply for divorce.
Hubby: It’s good not to change the horse in the middle of the race.
Wife: But, one condition, you should also uninstall your apps as I do.
Hubby: Why do you make such an about-turn?
Wife: So that you will be free to listen to my complaints about your mother.
Hubby: I understand, a leopard can’t change its dots!
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