modificavano

Modificavano is the imperfect indicative form of the Italian verb modificare, meaning to modify, change, or adapt something by altering its form, conditions, or characteristics. In Italian, the imperfect expresses past actions that are ongoing, habitual, or set as background in a narrative.

Etymology and meaning: the verb modificare comes from Latin modificare, itself from modus (manner, measure) and facere (to make). The form modificavano specifically conveys “they were modifying” or “they modified (over time)” depending on context.

Usage and nuance: modificavano is commonly used in technical, legal, or descriptive writing to describe past processes of alteration. It can indicate gradual or repeated changes, rather than a single completed action. The imperfect tense provides a backdrop for another event that occurred in the past or for routine past activities.

Conjugation note: as a regular -are verb, the imperfect forms end in -avo, -avi, -ava, -avamo, -avate, -avano. For example:

- io modificavo

- tu modificavi

- egli/modificava

- noi modificavamo

- voi modificavate

- essi modificavano

Examples:

- Durante l’esperimento, i ricercatori modificavano i parametri per ottenere risultati diversi.

- Le condizioni contrattuali modificavano gradualmente le responsabilità delle parti.

See also: modificare, coniugazione italiana, imperfetto indicativo.