Amend
/əˈmɛnd/
verbB2
Definition
Amend means to change something slightly to make it better or more accurate. People often amend laws, contracts, or written texts to fix errors or add new information. It is a formal way of saying "make changes" with the goal of improvement.
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⚡ See It in Action
To change a document or law to improve or correct it
- •The government decided to amend the law to protect the environment better.
- •She amended the contract by adding new terms.
- •The editor amended the article to fix some errors.
To improve a situation or behavior
- •He promised to amend his ways after the mistake.
- •The company amended its policy to be more customer-friendly.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "amend" like "fix," but more formal and usually about official or important things like papers or rules
- ✓Picture a person writing on a paper with a pen, crossing out a word and writing a better one above it
- ✓It's the feeling when you correct a mistake in your homework to get a better grade
- ✓Sounds like "a-MEND" → imagine mending (fixing) a torn piece of cloth, but with words or rules instead of fabric
- ✓Think of a law book that needs updating to be fairer or clearer—amendments are the small changes added
- ✓NOT like "break" (destroy), "amend" means to improve or repair
- ✓NOT like "change" in everyday talk, "amend" is more formal and careful, often official
- ✓NOT like "rewrite" which means to write again completely, "amend" means to change parts, not everything
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Modify: to make small changes (Use when the change is less formal or more about adjustment)
- •Correct: to fix mistakes (Use when focusing on fixing errors)
- •Revise: to review and change (Use when talking about reviewing and improving written work)
- •Improve: to make better (Use when the goal is general improvement, not just correction)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: prefix "a-" (to, toward) + root "mend" (to fix or repair)
- •Etymology: From Old French "amender," from Latin "emendare" meaning "to correct, free from fault"
- •Historical development: Originally meant to correct faults or mistakes, especially in writing or laws
- •Modern usage: Used mainly in formal or legal contexts to describe making changes that improve or correct something
💭 Reflect & Connect
•What kinds of things in your life might you want to amend, and why?
•How does amending a law or rule affect the people who follow it?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.The committee decided to amend the proposal because it ___ some important points.
2.After receiving feedback, she amended her report to ___ the unclear parts.
3.When a law is amended, it usually means it has been changed to ___ a problem or mistake.
4.He promised to amend his behavior after realizing his ___ caused trouble.
5.The editor carefully amended the text ___ to avoid changing the original meaning.
6.Unlike rewriting the whole document, to amend means to change ___ parts only.
7.The company amended its policy ___ to meet new customer needs.