Alterare

Alterare is an Italian verb of the first conjugation (ending in -are) that means to alter, modify, or change something. It can also mean to tamper with or adulterate in contexts such as documents, data, or substances, and is sometimes used in the sense of distorting or falsifying.

Etymology and meaning help: Alterare derives from Latin alterare, from alter meaning "other." The sense of making a change or difference across various contexts is retained in modern Italian, with nuances ranging from neutral modification to negative manipulation.

Usage and nuances: In standard use, alterare is transitive and can take a direct object: alterare un testo, alterare i dati, alterare l’aspetto. Neutral contexts prefer terms like modificare or cambiare, while contexts involving deception or manipulation employ alterare with a negative connotation, as in alterare la verità or alterare un documento. In scientific or technical language, the verb can refer to changing a substance or system, sometimes implying unintended or harmful modification.

Conjugation and form: Alterare is a regular -are verb. Present indicative forms: io altero, tu alteri, lui/lei altera, noi alteriamo, voi alterate, loro alterano. Other tenses follow standard -are conjugation patterns: imperfecto alteravo, alteravi, alterava, alteravamo, alteravate, alteravano; futuro altererò, altererai, altererà, altereremo, altererete, altereranno. The imperfect participle is alterato, and the present participle is alterando. The imperative is altera (tu) and alteri (Lei).

See also: Alterazione (alteration), alterato, and related verbs such as modificare, cambiare, falsificare. Examples of common usage include alterare una fotografia, alterare i dati, or not to alter the truth.