Qualifies

Qualifies is the third-person singular present tense of the verb qualify. The verb has several related meanings in English. In its core sense, qualify means to meet specified standards or conditions, thereby becoming eligible for something, or to be entitled to a right, benefit, or opportunity. A second sense is to modify or limit something, such as a statement or claim, by adding a caveat or condition. The noun form qualification and the related adjective qualified share this notion of standard or limitation. The word derives from Latin qualificare, through Old French qualifier, from qualis “of what kind.”

Usage of qualifies reflects these two primary senses. When indicating eligibility, one might say: “She qualifies for the scholarship” or “The team qualifies for the playoffs.” When indicating a limiting or attenuating sense, one might say: “The proposal qualifies the earlier statement with a few exceptions.” In grammar, qualify is transitive and can take a variety of complements, as in “qualify for a position,” “qualify as an expert,” or “qualify a claim.”

In everyday language, the intended meaning is usually clear from context. Qualifies can express a real entitlement or an added restriction, and this duality is a common feature of the term in modern usage. See also qualification and qualify as related concepts in discussion of standards, eligibility, and precision in language.