modificar

Modificar is a Spanish verb that means to alter, change, or adjust something. It emphasizes making changes that alter the current state or form of an object, plan, document, or process, often to improve suitability or performance. The sense ranges from small tweaks to substantial revisions, and it is widely used in everyday language, technology, law, and science.

Etymology and usage: The verb comes from Latin modificare (mod- + -ficare), from modus “manner, measure” plus the causative suffix. It entered Spanish through medieval Latin, and has cognates in other Romance languages such as French modifier and Italian modificare.

Conjugation: Modificar is a regular -ar verb. Present indicative: yo modifico, tú modificas, él modifica, nosotros modificamos, vosotros modificáis, ellos modifican. Preterite: yo modifiqué, tú modificaste, él modificó, nosotros modificamos, vosotros modificasteis, ellos modificaron. Imperfect: modificaba, modificabas, modificaba, modificábamos, modificabais, modificaban. Present participle: modificando; past participle: modificado.

Usage notes: In computing, modificar means to edit or change the content of a file or setting. In biology or genetics, it refers to a genetic modification. In law and policy, it means to amend or revise a rule or statute. The noun is modificación. Common synonyms include cambiar, alterar, transformar, but modificar implies a deliberate adjustment rather than a complete replacement.