What is the difference between "edit" and "modify"?

Answer 1

Good Question!

Modify is a general term and can be used for any object. Modifications to a house, a modified engine, modify the human genome etc.

Edit is used specifically when talking about modifying written and recorded works. You can edit a paper, newspaper article, sound or video recording.

Answer 2

They are essentially the same. Use edit for generic terminology. Use modify for sensitive crowds.
Modify tends to mean it was good already but I tweaked it to make it a little better.
Edit tends to mean I changed it. Also, edit goes more with research papers and articles. Modify has more to do with more tangible objects like modifying an engine vs. editing a paper.

Answer 3

It seems to me that a text could be edited without being modified. Example: There could be spelling errors in my text that are corrected. So, I edit the text. But it has not been modified in that the meaning remains the same.

Edit can mean to condense whereas modify can mean to change with a view to improving. Modifying does not necessarily mean condensing though.

Just a thought.......

Answer 4

Edit means mostly looking for errors. Modify is to go through and actively make changes.

Answer 5

edit just means to view the text etc. Modify means to effect changes

Answer 6

I think edit is to add/in addition or remove words too. Modify is to re word/clarify. It just my guess.

Answer 7

i don't think there's a much differance
edit to change a word or something but modify to change a sentence or add 1 etc.

Answer 8

Command and Conquer

Answer 9

nothing