Present System Formation - Examples

Let's dig a little bit deeper, using 1st conjugation verbs. Please watch the video below.

Download a printable version of the slides and video transcript for the Present System Examples Presentation.

The video above covered several major points of interest for how Latin verbs function:

Latin verbs are a combination of two parts:
- A stem - this is the core meaning of the Latin verb
- An ending - this provides information about the verb: tense, person, number, etc.
Because of this important fact, a single Latin verb can be a complete sentence:
- Amabam. = I used to love.
  - The stem ama- = love
  - The ending -bam = imperfect (was/were; used to), 1st person singular (I).
Latin verbs are placed at the end of a clause, most of the time. Remember this when sentences become more complex - look to the end to know what your verb is!
- Example: Decimus laborat. - Decimus is working.
We make a verb negative by using the adverb non, usually placing it directly before the negated verb.
- Example: Decimus non laborat. - Decimus does not work.
We can turn a sentence into a question by adding the particle -ne to the verb and moving the verb to the beginning of the sentence.
- Example: Laboratne Decimus? - Is Decimus working?
A verb must have a subject that agrees in number (singular and plural).
- The verb laborat, being singular (-t = 3rd person singular) must have a singular subject: Decimus laborat.