Compare the Difference Between Similar Terms

Difference Between Modification and Revision

Key Difference – Modification vs Revision
 

Modification, which is the noun form of the verb ‘modify,’ means to change or alter something and revision, which is the noun form of the verb ‘revise,’ also basically provides similar meanings as to revise or to amend something. However, they can be used in different contexts. The key difference between modification and revision is that modification is usually a slight change whereas revision can be a complete change of the original. Modification is the final outcome of the act of modifying whereas revision can be the final outcome or the continuous process of revising. Modification is often used in the context of technological changes whereas revision can be used on other occasions as well.

 CONTENTS

  1. Overview and Key Difference
  2. What Does Modification Mean
  3. What Does Revision Mean
  4. Side by Side Comparison – Modification vs Revision
  5. Summary

What Does Modification Mean?

Modification can be predominantly described as a slight change or an alteration that is usually used to make something better from its original form. Generally, this is used in the context of technological improvements. Thus, the main purpose of this is to improve something from its initial stage to the higher level of an advancement by doing some minor changes or alterations.

As defined by Cambridge Dictionary, Modification is “to change something usually to improve it or to change something slightly to make it more acceptable or less extreme.” Refer the given example.

Various modifications are done in the engines of new automobiles as a response to the new environmental proposal to minimize carbon emission that pollutes the environment.

Fig 1. Various modifications are done in the engines of new automobiles as a response to the new environmental proposal to minimize carbon emission that pollutes the environment.

As defined in Merriam Webster, modification has several meanings as “the making of a limited change in something, a limitation or qualification of the meaning of a word by another word, by an affix or by internal change”.

Refer the given examples

The genetically modified plants have been used to provide the necessary foliage to the recently reconstructed housing scheme.

The English word ‘proclaim’ meaning to announce something publicly or officially, is a modification of the original word ‘claim’.

What Does Revision Mean

Revision is the noun form of the verb ‘revise’. This can be described as an overall change or an alteration which is made to something in order make more improvements to it, or the continuous process of changing or altering it. This can also be used as the overall study of the work done by someone when getting ready for a final evaluation.

The revision of the last week’s biology lesson by John is very thorough and precise. It helped me to understand the lesson very clearly.

Cambridge Dictionary defines revision as “a change that is made to something or the process of doing it”. The process of changing, adding or making alterations to something can be done completely to its original form unlike modification where only minor changes are done to its original form.

Following the social upheaval created from his original book, he decided to publish a revised edition of his book which won a far more readership than the original.

Fig. 2 Following the social upheaval created from his original book, he decided to publish a revised edition of his book which won a far more readership than the original.

In the above sentence, revision is used as the completely revised edition of the original book. Hence, revision is primarily the final outcome from the act of revising or revising something by adding, editing, alerting or amending its original content.

What is the Difference Between Modification and Revision?

Modification vs Revision

Modification is the making of a limited change in something. Revision is an act of revising or the result of revising something.
Nature
Modification is usually a limited change done to its original form. Revision can be an overall change done to its original form.
Action
Modification can be described as the result of the slight changes that have taken place. Revision can be the final result of the changes that have taken place or the continuous process of changing.

Summary – Modification vs Revision

Both modification and revision can be categorized under nouns in English grammar. Modification is usually used to explain a limited change or an alteration done to something whereas, revision can be an overall or a complete change done to something in order for its improvement. This can be highlighted as the main difference between modification and revision.

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Image Courtesy:

1.500-Diesel-MJT By ALMundy – Own work (Eigene Aufnahme), (Public Domain) via Commons Wikipedia 
2.elements of literature- 5th revised edition by CHRIS DRUMM (CC BY 2.0) via flickr