Modernizar Conjugation in Spanish
modernizar means "to modernise" in English, and it comes up when people talk about the factory with new machines, the school system, the kitchen in the house and the city's transport. This page gives you the complete conjugation of modernizar in every tense and mood — present, preterite, imperfect, future, conditional, the four perfect tenses, both subjunctive tenses and the imperative — with all six persons, plus the gerund and the past participle. Every form below comes from VerbFlow's verified conjugation tables, so you can trust the accents and the spelling changes. modernizar is a spelling-changing (z → c before e) -ar verb, and the notes under each tense explain exactly where it follows the rules and where it breaks them. To hear it in a real sentence: Cada día, yo modernizo la fábrica con máquinas nuevas. — "Every day, I modernise the factory with new machines." Work through the tables, read the notes, then test yourself with the quiz at the end of the page.
Quick facts
- Infinitive: modernizar
- English: to modernise
- Verb type: spelling-changing (z → c before e) -ar verb
- Gerund: modernizando
- Past participle: modernizado
- Auxiliary verb: haber (all compound tenses use haber + modernizado)
- Spelling change: spelling-changing (z → c before e).
Full conjugation table
Every tense of modernizar with all six persons. The gerund is modernizando and the past participle is modernizado.
Present indicative
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | modernizo |
| tú | modernizas |
| él/ella/Ud. | moderniza |
| nosotros/as | modernizamos |
| vosotros/as | modernizáis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | modernizan |
Preterite (past)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | modernicé |
| tú | modernizaste |
| él/ella/Ud. | modernizó |
| nosotros/as | modernizamos |
| vosotros/as | modernizasteis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | modernizaron |
Imperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | modernizaba |
| tú | modernizabas |
| él/ella/Ud. | modernizaba |
| nosotros/as | modernizábamos |
| vosotros/as | modernizabais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | modernizaban |
Future
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | modernizaré |
| tú | modernizarás |
| él/ella/Ud. | modernizará |
| nosotros/as | modernizaremos |
| vosotros/as | modernizaréis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | modernizarán |
Conditional
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | modernizaría |
| tú | modernizarías |
| él/ella/Ud. | modernizaría |
| nosotros/as | modernizaríamos |
| vosotros/as | modernizaríais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | modernizarían |
Present perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | he modernizado |
| tú | has modernizado |
| él/ella/Ud. | ha modernizado |
| nosotros/as | hemos modernizado |
| vosotros/as | habéis modernizado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | han modernizado |
Pluperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | había modernizado |
| tú | habías modernizado |
| él/ella/Ud. | había modernizado |
| nosotros/as | habíamos modernizado |
| vosotros/as | habíais modernizado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habían modernizado |
Future perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habré modernizado |
| tú | habrás modernizado |
| él/ella/Ud. | habrá modernizado |
| nosotros/as | habremos modernizado |
| vosotros/as | habréis modernizado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrán modernizado |
Conditional perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habría modernizado |
| tú | habrías modernizado |
| él/ella/Ud. | habría modernizado |
| nosotros/as | habríamos modernizado |
| vosotros/as | habríais modernizado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrían modernizado |
Present subjunctive
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | modernice |
| tú | modernices |
| él/ella/Ud. | modernice |
| nosotros/as | modernicemos |
| vosotros/as | modernicéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | modernicen |
Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | modernizara |
| tú | modernizaras |
| él/ella/Ud. | modernizara |
| nosotros/as | modernizáramos |
| vosotros/as | modernizarais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | modernizaran |
Imperative (affirmative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | moderniza |
| él/ella/Ud. | modernice |
| nosotros/as | modernicemos |
| vosotros/as | modernizad |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | modernicen |
Imperative (negative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | modernices |
| él/ella/Ud. | modernice |
| nosotros/as | modernicemos |
| vosotros/as | modernicéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | modernicen |
Notes on each tense
A short note for every tense: when it is used, one example, and anything irregular about modernizar in that tense.
Present indicative
The present indicative of modernizar is used for routines, habits, general truths and things happening right now. Cada día, yo modernizo la fábrica con máquinas nuevas. — "Every day, I modernise the factory with new machines." For modernizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem moderniz- plus the usual endings. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Preterite (past)
The preterite (past) of modernizar is used for one action that started and finished in the past. Ayer, yo modernicé el sistema de la escuela. — "Yesterday, I modernised the school system." Watch the spelling: the z becomes c before e, so the yo preterite is modernicé and the subjunctive forms start with c, for example modernice. Say each form aloud with the complement after it, so the person and the ending stay linked in your memory.
Imperfect
The imperfect of modernizar is used for an ongoing or repeated action in the past, background description and habits that no longer happen. Antes, yo modernizaba la cocina de la casa. — "In the past, I used to modernise the kitchen in the house." For modernizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem moderniz- plus the usual endings. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Future
The future of modernizar is used for what will happen, plans and predictions. Mañana, nosotros modernizaremos el transporte de la ciudad. — "Tomorrow, we will modernise the city's transport." For modernizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem moderniz- plus the usual endings. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Conditional
The conditional of modernizar is used for what would happen, hypothetical situations and polite requests. Si pudieras, tú modernizarías la fábrica con máquinas nuevas. — "If you could, you would modernise the factory with new machines." For modernizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem moderniz- plus the usual endings. Say each form aloud with the complement after it, so the person and the ending stay linked in your memory.
Present perfect
The present perfect of modernizar is used for an action completed in the recent past that still matters now, or life experience up to now. Yo he modernizado el sistema de la escuela. — "I have modernised the school system." For modernizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem moderniz- plus the usual endings. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Pluperfect
The pluperfect of modernizar is used for an action that had already happened before another past action. Antes de la fiesta, yo había modernizado la cocina de la casa. — "Before the party, I had modernised the kitchen in the house." For modernizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem moderniz- plus the usual endings. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Future perfect
The future perfect of modernizar is used for an action that will be finished by a point in the future. Para mañana, yo habré modernizado el transporte de la ciudad. — "By tomorrow, I will have modernised the city's transport." For modernizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem moderniz- plus the usual endings. Say each form aloud with the complement after it, so the person and the ending stay linked in your memory.
Conditional perfect
The conditional perfect of modernizar is used for what would have happened if things had been different. Si hubiera podido, yo habría modernizado la fábrica con máquinas nuevas. — "If I had been able to, I would have modernised the factory with new machines." For modernizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem moderniz- plus the usual endings. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Present subjunctive
The present subjunctive of modernizar is used for wishes, doubts, emotions and requests after expressions such as espero que. Espero que él modernice el sistema de la escuela. — "I hope that he/she modernises the school system." Watch the spelling: the z becomes c before e, so the yo preterite is modernicé and the subjunctive forms start with c, for example modernice. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)
The imperfect subjunctive (-ra) of modernizar is used for the same subjunctive meanings in the past, and in si clauses about unreal situations. Si él modernizara la cocina de la casa, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she modernised the kitchen in the house, everything would turn out better." For modernizar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem moderniz- plus the usual endings. Say each form aloud with the complement after it, so the person and the ending stay linked in your memory.
Imperative (affirmative)
The imperative (affirmative) of modernizar is used for orders, instructions and invitations. ¡Moderniza el transporte de la ciudad! — "Modernise the city's transport!" Watch the spelling: the z becomes c before e, so the yo preterite is modernicé and the subjunctive forms start with c, for example modernice. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Imperative (negative)
The imperative (negative) of modernizar is used for prohibitions and negative orders. No modernices la fábrica con máquinas nuevas. — "Do not modernise the factory with new machines." Watch the spelling: the z becomes c before e, so the yo preterite is modernicé and the subjunctive forms start with c, for example modernice. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Examples: modernizar in real sentences
Ten sentences with modernizar, one for each main tense, each with its English translation. Read them aloud, then try changing the person and the complement to make your own versions.
- Cada día, yo modernizo la fábrica con máquinas nuevas. — "Every day, I modernise the factory with new machines." This is the present tense, used for a habit.
- Ayer, yo modernicé el sistema de la escuela. — "Yesterday, I modernised the school system." This is the preterite, one finished action.
- Antes, yo modernizaba la cocina de la casa. — "In the past, I used to modernise the kitchen in the house." This is the imperfect, a repeated action in the past.
- Mañana, nosotros modernizaremos el transporte de la ciudad. — "Tomorrow, we will modernise the city's transport." This is the future tense, a plan for tomorrow.
- Si pudieras, tú modernizarías la fábrica con máquinas nuevas. — "If you could, you would modernise the factory with new machines." This is the conditional, something that would happen.
- Yo he modernizado el sistema de la escuela. — "I have modernised the school system." This is the present perfect, an action with present relevance.
- Espero que él modernice la cocina de la casa. — "I hope that he/she modernises the kitchen in the house." This is the present subjunctive, after espero que.
- Si él modernizara el transporte de la ciudad, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she modernised the city's transport, everything would turn out better." This is the imperfect subjunctive, in a si clause.
- ¡Moderniza la fábrica con máquinas nuevas! — "Modernise the factory with new machines!" This is the imperative, a direct order or request.
- Ahora, Yo estoy modernizando el sistema de la escuela. — "Now, I am modernising the school system." This is the progressive, with estar and the gerund.
Common mistakes with modernizar
The errors learners actually make with modernizar, each with the wrong form, the right form, and why it is wrong.
Mistake 1: Adding a reflexive pronoun that does not belong
- Wrong: Yo me modernizo la fábrica con máquinas nuevas.
- Right: Yo modernizo la fábrica con máquinas nuevas.
- Why: modernizar is not reflexive, so there is no pronoun to add. Yo modernizo la fábrica con máquinas nuevas. is the correct sentence, and the extra pronoun changes the meaning.
Mistake 2: Using the present tense after espero que
- Wrong: Espero que él moderniza el sistema de la escuela.
- Right: Espero que él modernice el sistema de la escuela.
- Why: After espero que Spanish needs the subjunctive, and for modernizar the subjunctive also changes z to c: modernice, not moderniza.
Mistake 3: Using the present tense for yesterday
- Wrong: Ayer, yo modernizo el sistema de la escuela.
- Right: Ayer, yo modernicé el sistema de la escuela.
- Why: Ayer means yesterday, so the action is finished and needs the preterite. The present tense is for habits and routines, not for yesterday: Ayer, yo modernicé el sistema de la escuela. — "Yesterday, I modernised the school system."
Mistake 4: Mixing up the gerund and the participle
- Wrong: Estoy modernizado la cocina de la casa.
- Right: Estoy modernizando la cocina de la casa.
- Why: After estar you need the gerund modernizando for the progressive. The participle modernizado goes with haber in the perfect tenses (he modernizado), never after estar.
Mistake 5: Using the él form for nosotros
- Wrong: Nosotros moderniza la fábrica con máquinas nuevas.
- Right: Nosotros modernizamos la fábrica con máquinas nuevas.
- Why: The person and the ending must match: nosotros takes modernizamos, while moderniza belongs to él and ella. Check the person first, then choose the form.
Quiz: modernizar conjugation
Test yourself with ten questions on modernizar. The answers are explained, so read them even when you get a question right.
1. What is the yo form of modernizar in the present tense?
- (a) modernizamos
- (b) modernizo
- (c) modernizas
- (d) moderniza
Answer: (b) modernizo. The yo form is modernizo. Check the person before you answer.
2. What is the tú form of modernizar in the present tense?
- (a) modernizas
- (b) modernizo
- (c) moderniza
- (d) modernizamos
Answer: (a) modernizas. The tú form is modernizas. Check the person before you answer.
3. What is the él/ella form of modernizar in the present tense?
- (a) modernizo
- (b) modernizas
- (c) modernizamos
- (d) moderniza
Answer: (d) moderniza. The él/ella form is moderniza. Check the person before you answer.
4. What is the nosotros form of modernizar in the present tense?
- (a) modernizas
- (b) moderniza
- (c) modernizamos
- (d) modernizo
Answer: (c) modernizamos. The nosotros form is modernizamos. Check the person before you answer.
5. What is the ellos/ellas form of modernizar in the present tense?
- (a) moderniza
- (b) modernizan
- (c) modernizo
- (d) modernizas
Answer: (b) modernizan. The ellos/ellas form is modernizan. Check the person before you answer.
6. What is the gerund of modernizar?
- (a) modernizar
- (b) modernizando
- (c) modernizado
- (d) modernizo
Answer: (b) modernizando. The gerund is modernizando, used for the progressive: estoy modernizando.
7. What is the past participle of modernizar?
- (a) modernizado
- (b) modernizando
- (c) modernicé
- (d) modernizar
Answer: (a) modernizado. The past participle is modernizado, used with haber in all perfect tenses: he modernizado.
8. Complete the sentence: Cada día, yo ___ la fábrica con máquinas nuevas.
- (a) modernizas
- (b) moderniza
- (c) modernizamos
- (d) modernizo
Answer: (d) modernizo. The sentence needs the yo form modernizo (Every day, I modernise the factory with new machines.)
9. What is the yo form of modernizar in the preterite?
- (a) modernizó
- (b) modernizamos
- (c) modernicé
- (d) modernizaste
Answer: (c) modernicé. The yo preterite is modernicé. The preterite describes one finished action.
10. Complete the sentence: Espero que él ___ la cocina de la casa.
- (a) modernice
- (b) modernices
- (c) modernicemos
- (d) modernicéis
Answer: (a) modernice. After espero que Spanish needs the subjunctive, and the él form is modernice.
Frequently asked questions about modernizar
Is modernizar regular?
Almost. modernizar is a spelling-changing (z → c before e) -ar verb, so its endings are regular but its spelling changes in some forms: Watch the spelling: the z becomes c before e, so the yo preterite is modernicé and the subjunctive forms start with c, for example modernice. The rest of the conjugation follows the regular pattern, and the tables above show every form exactly.
What does modernizar mean, and when do I use it?
modernizar means "to modernise" in English. Use it when you talk about the factory with new machines, the school system, the kitchen in the house and the city's transport — for example: Yo modernizo la fábrica con máquinas nuevas. — "I modernise the factory with new machines." It is a practical verb for everyday conversation, and it appears in all the tenses on this page.
How do you say it in a real sentence?
A natural sentence is: Yo modernizo la fábrica con máquinas nuevas. — "I modernise the factory with new machines." Change the person using the table above, and change the complement to talk about your own life: the verb stays the same, only the ending changes.
Is there a reflexive form of modernizar?
No. modernizar is not reflexive, so it is used without a pronoun: Yo modernizo la fábrica con máquinas nuevas. — "I modernise the factory with new machines." Adding me, te or se would change the meaning, so keep the verb plain unless you mean the reflexive partner.
When do I use the present tense instead of the preterite with modernizar?
Use the present for habits and routines: Yo modernizo la fábrica con máquinas nuevas. — "I modernise the factory with new machines." Use the preterite for one finished action: Ayer, yo modernicé la fábrica con máquinas nuevas. — "Yesterday, I modernised the factory with new machines." If the action happens regularly, choose the present; if it happened once and is finished, choose the preterite.