Fiveable
Fiveable
You have 2 free guides left 😧
Unlock your guides
You have 2 free guides left 😧
Unlock your guides

Elementary Latin

Latin verbs are the backbone of sentence structure, conveying crucial information about actions and states. Understanding common verb types helps recognize patterns and construct grammatically correct sentences. Mastering these verbs is essential for accurate translation and expressing complex ideas in Latin.

Regular verbs follow predictable conjugation patterns, while irregular verbs deviate from standard rules. Transitive verbs require direct objects, while intransitive verbs express complete actions on their own. Deponent verbs have passive forms but active meanings, adding complexity to Latin verb usage.

Common verb types

  • Latin verbs form the backbone of sentence structure and convey crucial information about actions, states, and events
  • Understanding different verb types helps in recognizing patterns and constructing grammatically correct sentences in Latin
  • Mastering common verb types is essential for translating Latin texts accurately and expressing complex ideas in the language

Regular vs irregular verbs

Top images from around the web for Regular vs irregular verbs
Top images from around the web for Regular vs irregular verbs
  • Regular verbs follow predictable conjugation patterns based on their conjugation group
  • Irregular verbs deviate from standard conjugation rules and must be memorized individually
  • Regular verbs make up the majority of Latin verbs (amare, videre, legere)
  • Irregular verbs often include frequently used words (esse, ire, ferre)
  • Recognizing the difference aids in efficient vocabulary acquisition and translation skills

Transitive vs intransitive verbs

  • Transitive verbs require a direct object to complete their meaning
  • Intransitive verbs do not take a direct object and express a complete action on their own
  • Transitive verbs often describe actions that affect something or someone (amare, to love)
  • Intransitive verbs typically express states of being or self-contained actions (dormire, to sleep)
  • Understanding transitivity helps in constructing grammatically correct sentences and interpreting Latin texts accurately

Deponent verbs

  • Deponent verbs have passive forms but active meanings
  • They conjugate like passive verbs but translate as active in English
  • Deponent verbs often end in -or in the first principal part (hortor, I encourage)
  • These verbs retain passive endings throughout all tenses and moods
  • Mastering deponent verbs is crucial for accurate translation and comprehension of Latin literature

Verb conjugations

  • Latin verbs are grouped into four main conjugation classes based on their infinitive endings
  • Understanding conjugation patterns facilitates learning new verbs and recognizing their forms in texts
  • Conjugation classes determine how verbs change to express different tenses, moods, and persons

First conjugation verbs

  • Characterized by the -āre ending in the infinitive form
  • Present stem ends in -ā (amare, to love)
  • Generally follow regular conjugation patterns, making them easier to learn
  • Include many common verbs related to everyday actions (ambulare, to walk)
  • First conjugation verbs often form the foundation for learning Latin verb systems

Second conjugation verbs

  • Identified by the -ēre ending in the infinitive form
  • Present stem ends in -ē (videre, to see)
  • Usually follow regular conjugation patterns with some exceptions
  • Contain many verbs related to states or conditions (habere, to have)
  • Second conjugation verbs often express less dynamic actions compared to first conjugation verbs

Third conjugation verbs

  • Characterized by the -ere (short e) ending in the infinitive form
  • Present stem typically ends in a consonant (legere, to read)
  • Include both regular and irregular verbs, requiring more attention to learn
  • Often represent more complex or specific actions (scribere, to write)
  • Third conjugation verbs form a large and diverse group in Latin vocabulary

Fourth conjugation verbs

  • Identified by the -īre ending in the infinitive form
  • Present stem ends in -ī (audire, to hear)
  • Generally follow regular conjugation patterns with some exceptions
  • Include many verbs related to senses and mental activities (sentire, to feel)
  • Fourth conjugation verbs are less common than the other conjugations but still significant in Latin texts

Tenses in Latin

  • Latin tenses express the time and aspect of actions or states
  • Understanding tenses is crucial for accurate translation and interpretation of Latin texts
  • Latin uses a combination of tenses and aspects to convey nuanced temporal relationships

Present tense

  • Expresses actions happening now or general truths
  • Formed using the present stem and personal endings
  • Used for habitual actions or states (amo, I love)
  • Can also express immediate future in certain contexts
  • Present tense forms the basis for learning other tenses and moods

Imperfect tense

  • Describes ongoing or repeated actions in the past
  • Formed by adding -ba- to the present stem, followed by personal endings
  • Often translated as "was/were -ing" or "used to" in English (amabam, I was loving)
  • Frequently used for background information in narratives
  • Contrasts with the perfect tense to show the difference between ongoing and completed past actions

Future tense

  • Indicates actions that will happen in the future
  • Formed differently depending on the conjugation (first and second use -bo, -bis, etc.; third and fourth use -am, -es, etc.)
  • Used to express intentions or predictions (amabo, I will love)
  • Helps distinguish between present and future actions in Latin, where context might be ambiguous
  • Understanding the future tense is crucial for comprehending Latin prose and poetry discussing future events

Perfect tense

  • Expresses completed actions in the past
  • Formed using the perfect stem and specific perfect endings
  • Often translated as simple past in English (amavi, I loved)
  • Can also express actions completed in the present with lasting results
  • Perfect tense is essential for narrating past events and distinguishing between completed and ongoing actions

Pluperfect tense

  • Describes actions completed before another past action
  • Formed by adding -era- to the perfect stem, followed by personal endings
  • Translated as "had + past participle" in English (amaveram, I had loved)
  • Used to establish chronology in complex narratives
  • Understanding the pluperfect tense is crucial for comprehending the sequence of events in Latin historical texts

Future perfect tense

  • Indicates actions that will be completed before a specific point in the future
  • Formed by adding -ero to the perfect stem, followed by personal endings
  • Translated as "will have + past participle" in English (amavero, I will have loved)
  • Less common than other tenses but important for expressing complex future scenarios
  • Mastering the future perfect tense allows for precise expression of future completed actions in Latin composition

Moods

  • Latin moods express the speaker's attitude or intention towards an action or state
  • Understanding moods is essential for interpreting the nuances of Latin sentences
  • Different moods are used in main clauses and subordinate clauses to convey various meanings

Indicative mood

  • Expresses factual statements or asks direct questions
  • Used for objective, real actions or states
  • Appears in all tenses and is the most common mood in Latin
  • Forms the basis for learning other moods (amo, I love)
  • Essential for understanding straightforward narratives and descriptions in Latin texts

Subjunctive mood

  • Expresses wishes, possibilities, doubts, or hypothetical situations
  • Used in many subordinate clauses and for indirect questions
  • Has four tenses: present, imperfect, perfect, and pluperfect
  • Often translated with "may," "might," or "would" in English (amem, I may love)
  • Mastering the subjunctive mood is crucial for understanding complex Latin sentences and literary texts

Imperative mood

  • Used for commands, requests, or strong suggestions
  • Has present and future forms, but present is more common
  • Only exists in second person singular and plural for most verbs
  • Formed by using the present stem without personal endings for singular (ama, love!)
  • Understanding the imperative mood is essential for interpreting direct speech and dialogues in Latin literature

Voice

  • Latin voice indicates whether the subject performs the action or receives the action
  • Understanding voice is crucial for accurately interpreting the relationship between subjects and actions in Latin sentences
  • Voice affects verb conjugations and sentence structure

Active voice

  • Indicates that the subject performs the action of the verb
  • Used when the focus is on the doer of the action
  • Most common voice in Latin and typically learned first
  • Follows standard conjugation patterns for each tense and mood (amo, I love)
  • Essential for expressing actions initiated by the subject in Latin composition

Passive voice

  • Indicates that the subject receives the action of the verb
  • Used when the focus is on the recipient of the action rather than the doer
  • Formed by using passive personal endings and, in some tenses, the verb "esse"
  • Changes the subject-object relationship in a sentence (amor, I am loved)
  • Understanding passive voice is crucial for interpreting Latin texts where the emphasis is on the result of actions rather than the actors

Principal parts

  • Latin verbs have four principal parts that provide essential information for conjugation
  • Knowing the principal parts allows for the formation of all tenses, moods, and voices of a verb
  • Memorizing principal parts is crucial for mastering Latin verb conjugations

First principal part

  • Represents the present indicative active, first person singular form
  • Provides the present stem and indicates the conjugation group
  • Used to form present system tenses (amo, I love)
  • Essential for identifying the verb's basic meaning and conjugation pattern
  • Serves as the dictionary entry form for most Latin verbs

Second principal part

  • Represents the present active infinitive form
  • Confirms the conjugation group of the verb
  • Used in various grammatical constructions (amare, to love)
  • Helpful in forming some tenses and in indirect speech constructions
  • Understanding the second principal part aids in recognizing and using infinitive forms correctly

Third principal part

  • Represents the perfect indicative active, first person singular form
  • Provides the perfect stem used for perfect system tenses
  • Often shows irregularities in verb formation (amavi, I have loved)
  • Essential for forming all perfect, pluperfect, and future perfect tenses
  • Mastering the third principal part is crucial for accurately expressing completed actions in Latin

Fourth principal part

  • Represents the supine form or perfect passive participle
  • Used to form perfect passive tenses and some noun constructions
  • Often ends in -um for the supine or -us for the participle (amatum, loved)
  • Crucial for forming compound tenses in the passive voice
  • Understanding the fourth principal part allows for the expression of completed actions in passive constructions

Common verb stems

  • Latin verbs use different stems to form various tenses and moods
  • Understanding verb stems is essential for recognizing and forming correct verb forms
  • Each stem serves as the base for specific tense groups in Latin conjugations

Present stem

  • Derived from the first principal part by removing the personal ending
  • Used to form present, imperfect, and future tenses in active and passive voices
  • Also used for present participles and some noun derivatives
  • Typically remains constant within a conjugation group (am- from amare)
  • Mastering the present stem is crucial for forming all present system tenses accurately

Perfect stem

  • Derived from the third principal part by removing the personal ending
  • Used to form perfect, pluperfect, and future perfect tenses in the active voice
  • Often shows irregularities or changes from the present stem
  • Can involve reduplication, vowel changes, or completely different forms (amav- from amavi)
  • Understanding the perfect stem is essential for expressing completed actions in Latin

Supine stem

  • Derived from the fourth principal part by removing the -um ending
  • Used to form perfect passive tenses and future active participles
  • Often similar to the perfect stem but can show variations
  • Important for forming compound tenses with forms of "esse" (amat- from amatum)
  • Mastering the supine stem allows for the accurate expression of completed passive actions and certain verbal nouns

Frequently used verbs

  • Certain verbs appear frequently in Latin texts and are essential for basic communication
  • These verbs often have irregular conjugations that must be memorized
  • Mastering frequently used verbs is crucial for reading comprehension and composition in Latin

Esse (to be)

  • Irregular verb serving as the primary copula in Latin
  • Used in forming compound tenses and in many idiomatic expressions
  • Has unique forms in most tenses and moods (sum, eram, fui)
  • Essential for expressing states of being and forming passive constructions
  • Mastering "esse" is fundamental for constructing a wide range of Latin sentences

Habere (to have)

  • Second conjugation verb with some irregular forms
  • Used to express possession and in many idiomatic phrases
  • Forms the basis for compound verbs with various prefixes
  • Important in forming the future perfect tense in Late Latin (habeo, habui, habitum)
  • Understanding "habere" is crucial for expressing ownership and abstract concepts in Latin

Facere (to make/do)

  • Third conjugation verb with some irregular forms
  • Used in a wide range of contexts for actions and creations
  • Forms many compound verbs with different prefixes
  • Has an irregular passive form "fieri" (facio, feci, factum)
  • Mastering "facere" allows for the expression of numerous actions and processes in Latin

Ire (to go)

  • Highly irregular verb essential for expressing movement
  • Forms the basis for many compound verbs with different prefixes
  • Has unique conjugation patterns in several tenses (eo, ivi/ii, itum)
  • Used in both literal and figurative senses of movement or progress
  • Understanding "ire" is crucial for describing travel, progression, and change in Latin texts

Dicere (to say)

  • Third conjugation verb with some irregular forms
  • Fundamental for reporting speech and introducing quotations
  • Used in various legal and rhetorical contexts
  • Forms the basis for many compound verbs with prefixes (dico, dixi, dictum)
  • Mastering "dicere" is essential for understanding and constructing reported speech in Latin

Verb prefixes

  • Latin uses prefixes to modify verb meanings and create new vocabulary
  • Understanding prefixes allows for the comprehension of a wider range of verbs
  • Prefixes can change the meaning of a verb slightly or dramatically

Common prefixes

Meaning changes with prefixes

  • Prefixes can change intransitive verbs to transitive (venire → convenire)
  • May alter the original meaning significantly (facere → inficere)
  • Can intensify the verb's action (clamare → exclamare)
  • Sometimes create opposite meanings (probare → improbare)
  • Understanding prefix modifications is crucial for accurate translation and expanding vocabulary efficiently

Verb aspects

  • Aspect in Latin verbs expresses how an action relates to the flow of time
  • Understanding aspect is crucial for nuanced interpretation of Latin texts
  • Latin uses a combination of tenses and aspects to convey complex temporal relationships

Perfective aspect

  • Represents actions as complete or viewed as a whole
  • Typically expressed through perfect system tenses
  • Emphasizes the result or completion of an action
  • Often translated with simple past or present perfect in English (amavi, I have loved/I loved)
  • Understanding perfective aspect is crucial for interpreting narrative sequences in Latin texts

Imperfective aspect

  • Represents actions as ongoing, repeated, or incomplete
  • Typically expressed through present system tenses
  • Emphasizes the process or duration of an action
  • Often translated with continuous tenses in English (amabam, I was loving)
  • Mastering imperfective aspect allows for accurate interpretation of background information and ongoing states in Latin narratives

Verb participles

  • Participles are verbal adjectives that can function as nouns or modify nouns
  • Latin uses participles extensively in various grammatical constructions
  • Understanding participles is crucial for comprehending complex Latin sentences

Present participle

  • Formed from the present stem with -ns/-ntis endings
  • Expresses action occurring at the same time as the main verb
  • Used in ablative absolute constructions and to create concise clauses
  • Often translated as "-ing" in English (amans, loving)
  • Mastering present participles allows for more elegant and concise expression in Latin composition

Perfect participle

  • Formed from the supine stem with -us, -a, -um endings
  • Expresses completed action, usually prior to the main verb
  • Used in ablative absolute constructions and to form perfect passive tenses
  • Often translated as a past participle in English (amatus, having been loved)
  • Understanding perfect participles is essential for interpreting complex temporal relationships in Latin sentences

Future participle

  • Formed from the supine stem with -urus, -ura, -urum endings
  • Expresses action that is about to happen or intended
  • Used in periphrastic constructions to express obligation or intention
  • Often translated as "about to" or "going to" in English (amaturus, about to love)
  • Mastering future participles allows for the expression of imminent or planned actions in Latin

Gerunds and gerundives

  • Gerunds and gerundives are verbal nouns and adjectives used to express actions as concepts
  • Understanding these forms is crucial for advanced Latin composition and translation
  • They allow for the expression of complex ideas involving actions in noun-like roles

Gerund formation

  • Formed from the present stem with -ndum endings
  • Acts as a verbal noun, expressing the action of the verb
  • Used in cases other than nominative (genitive, dative, accusative, ablative)
  • Often translated with "-ing" in English (amandi, of loving)
  • Mastering gerund formation allows for the expression of verbal actions in noun-like roles

Gerundive formation

  • Formed from the present stem with -ndus, -nda, -ndum endings
  • Acts as a passive verbal adjective, expressing necessity or obligation
  • Agrees with the noun it modifies in gender, number, and case
  • Often translated as "to be (verb)ed" or "must be (verb)ed" (amandus, to be loved/must be loved)
  • Understanding gerundive formation is crucial for expressing concepts of duty or necessity in Latin

Usage in sentences

  • Gerunds used for abstract expressions of verbal action (Ars amandi, the art of loving)
  • Gerundives used in passive periphrastic constructions to express obligation (Carthago delenda est, Carthage must be destroyed)
  • Both forms can be used with prepositions to express purpose or means
  • Gerund-gerundive attraction often occurs in certain constructions
  • Mastering the usage of gerunds and gerundives allows for sophisticated expression of verbal concepts in Latin composition

Term 1 of 41

1st conjugation
See definition

The 1st conjugation refers to a group of Latin verbs characterized by their infinitive form ending in '-āre.' These verbs follow a specific pattern in their endings when conjugated, making them easier to identify and use in sentences. The 1st conjugation is essential for forming present, imperfect, and future tenses, and understanding this pattern helps learners effectively communicate in Latin.

Key Terms to Review (41)

Term 1 of 41

1st conjugation
See definition

The 1st conjugation refers to a group of Latin verbs characterized by their infinitive form ending in '-āre.' These verbs follow a specific pattern in their endings when conjugated, making them easier to identify and use in sentences. The 1st conjugation is essential for forming present, imperfect, and future tenses, and understanding this pattern helps learners effectively communicate in Latin.

© 2025 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.

Term 1 of 41

1st conjugation
See definition

The 1st conjugation refers to a group of Latin verbs characterized by their infinitive form ending in '-āre.' These verbs follow a specific pattern in their endings when conjugated, making them easier to identify and use in sentences. The 1st conjugation is essential for forming present, imperfect, and future tenses, and understanding this pattern helps learners effectively communicate in Latin.



© 2025 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.

© 2025 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.
Glossary
Glossary