VIA: Lesson - Present System Formation - Examples

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 Links to an external site..

Verb Facts - Review

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.