qualify

Everyday

1. To qualify for something is to earn a place in it or the right to it, often by meeting the rules or doing well enough: to qualify for the final. tree →
2. To qualify as something is to pass the training or exams to do a job: she qualified as a nurse. tree →
3. To qualify can mean to count as something: does a tomato qualify as a fruit? tree →
4. To qualify a statement is to add something that makes it less strong or limits it ("It's good — but only for little kids"). tree →

In the lessons

In sport, teams qualify for the next round or the World Cup. In money lessons, people qualify for help or discounts by meeting rules (age, income). In maths, a number qualifies if it meets a condition (does 15 qualify as a multiple of 5?). In writing, words like "usually" and "some" qualify a claim. In grammar, an adjective qualifies a noun.

Examples

• Our team qualified for the cup final! tree →
• You must be over 12 to qualify for the bigger rides. tree →
• She qualified as a doctor after many years of study. tree →
• Does a tomato qualify as a fruit? Yes, in science it does. tree →
• Children under 5 qualify for free entry. tree →
• He won his heat and qualified for the 100 m final. tree →
• Which of these numbers qualify as even: 3, 8, 12? tree →
• I'd like to qualify what I said: most dogs are friendly, not all. tree →

Note

Spelling: qualify → qualifies, qualified (y changes to i). Qualify FOR a competition or prize; qualify AS a job title. In maths, "qualify" means "meet the condition". A qualification is a certificate or exam you have passed.