key term - 1st conjugation

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.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The 1st conjugation includes common verbs like 'amare' (to love), 'videre' (to see), and 'parare' (to prepare).
2. When conjugating 1st conjugation verbs, the present stem is formed by dropping the '-are' from the infinitive.
3. 1st conjugation verbs have specific endings for each person in the present tense: -o, -as, -at, -amus, -atis, -ant.
4. The imperfect tense for 1st conjugation verbs uses the stem from the present tense plus the endings -bam, -bas, -bat, -bamus, -batis, -bant.
5. In the future tense, 1st conjugation verbs add the endings -bo, -bis, -bit, -bimus, -bitis, -bunt to the present stem.

Review Questions

• How do you identify a verb as belonging to the 1st conjugation in Latin?
  • To identify a verb as belonging to the 1st conjugation in Latin, look for its infinitive form ending in '-āre.' This is a key characteristic of all 1st conjugation verbs. Once identified, you can easily apply specific patterns for their conjugation in various tenses by removing the '-āre' ending and using the appropriate endings for each person and tense.
• Explain how the conjugation patterns differ between present and imperfect tenses for 1st conjugation verbs.
  • For 1st conjugation verbs, the present tense is formed by taking the present stem from the infinitive (removing '-āre') and adding specific endings: -o, -as, -at, etc. In contrast, the imperfect tense uses the same present stem but adds a different set of endings: -bam, -bas, -bat, which indicate ongoing actions in the past. This distinction is crucial for accurately conveying time and aspect when speaking or writing in Latin.
• Evaluate how mastering the 1st conjugation impacts your overall ability to use Latin effectively.
  • Mastering the 1st conjugation significantly enhances your overall ability to use Latin effectively because it provides a foundation for understanding how to conjugate many common verbs. This knowledge allows you to construct meaningful sentences and express a range of actions across different tenses. Moreover, once you grasp the patterns of one conjugation group like the 1st conjugation, it becomes easier to learn other conjugations by recognizing similarities and differences in their structures.

Related terms

Infinitive:

The base form of a verb, typically ending in '-are' for 1st conjugation verbs, used to express the action without indicating the subject.

Conjugation:

The variation of the form of a verb in accordance with voice, mood, tense, number, and person.

Present tense: A verb tense that expresses actions currently happening or habitual actions, often formed using the present stem derived from the verb's infinitive.