How to Learn Latin Verbs

Latin, the language of ancient Rome, forms the basis of several modern languages, including English. Although thousands of English words come from Latin, studying Latin challenges many students. Its cryptic form can seem more like a puzzle than a language, and verbs pose particular difficulties. Verbs in Latin tend to appear at the end of sentences instead of in the middle as in English. Furthermore, you must conjugate verbs differently in each context depending on the subject of the sentence. There are hundreds of verbs and several different types of conjugations and tenses. Latin sentences often do not include the subjects of the verbs, which makes the contexts difficult to decipher.

Instructions

    • 1

      Start with first conjugation verbs--the ones that end in "-are." Memorize 10 first conjugation verbs in their infinitive forms.

    • 2

      Practice the present tense endings for the first conjugation verbs: "-o" or "-m," "-s," "-t," "-mus," "-tis," "-nt," by writing them out in two columns of three rows. The first column holds the verbs with singular subjects and the second column contains the verbs with plural subjects. These endings correspond to the subjects I, you (singular), he/she, we, you (plural) and they.

    • 3

      Conjugate each of your ten verbs a few times by dropping the "-re" at the end and then adding the proper endings. For example, you would conjugate the verb "laudare" (to praise) as follows: laudo, laudas, laudat, laudamus, laudatis, laudant.

    • 4

      Once you can conjugate the set of first conjugation verbs, memorize a set of second conjugation verbs--the ones that end in "ere" where the first "e" makes the "a" sound. Practice the second conjugation verb endings the same way you did the first conjugation ones. Pronounce the different forms as you write them.

    • 5

      Repeat steps 1 through 4 with verbs and present tense endings for third, third "-io," and fourth conjugation verbs. Simultaneously, improve your vocabulary by memorizing more first and second conjugation infinitives.

    • 6

      Build your understanding of Latin verbs by approaching them in context. Using a book or workbook, work backwards to figure out the subjects of sentences by looking at how the verb is conjugated. For instance, if the verb reads "servat" you would know that the subject is he or she because of the "-at" ending.

    • 7

      As you become comfortable with the present tense for all the verb conjugations, start familiarizing yourself with the endings used for the past perfect, future and imperfect tenses. When you become proficient in these tenses, work on the pluperfect, future perfect and subjunctive, and learn how to create "voice," either active or passive. Some of these tenses require extra auxiliary or "helping" verbs in addition to the main verb. In this case, write out the appropriate auxiliary verbs in your practice conjugations.

    • 8

      Continue practicing the Latin verbs in context. When reading them, use their forms as clues to the tenses, voices and subjects of the sentences.

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