Latin Verbs
Form, Function, and Meaning
Master how Latin verbs encode person, number, tense, mood, and voice in a single word: and how to unlock meaning from context.
What Is a Latin Verb?
A Latin verb is a single, highly inflected word that conveys an action, state, or occurrence. Unlike English, where you need auxiliary words ("I was being loved"), Latin packs five critical pieces of information into one form.
Anatomy of a Verb Form
The Four Conjugations
Latin verbs are grouped into four conjugation families determined by the vowel at the end of the present stem. This vowel governs how endings attach.
| Conjugation | Stem Vowel | Model Verb | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | -ā- | amō | to love |
| 2nd | -ē- | moneō | to warn |
| 3rd | -e- (short) | dūcō | to lead |
| 4th | -ī- | audiō | to hear |
Principal Parts: Your Master Key
Every Latin verb has four principal parts. Each unlocks a different family of tenses. Memorizing them is non-negotiable for reading real Latin.
The Core Rule: Personal Endings
Personal endings are the DNA fingerprint of a Latin verb form. They tell you who is doing the action and how many are involved.
| Person | Active | Passive | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Sg. | -ō / -m | -r / -or | I ___ |
| 2nd Sg. | -s | -ris | you ___ |
| 3rd Sg. | -t | -tur | he/she/it ___ |
| 1st Pl. | -mus | -mur | we ___ |
| 2nd Pl. | -tis | -minī | you (pl.) ___ |
| 3rd Pl. | -nt | -ntur | they ___ |
Tense vs. Aspect
Latin tenses encode two things simultaneously: when an action happens (time) and how it unfolds (aspect). Understanding both is essential for accurate translation.
The Three Moods
How to Parse a Latin Verb
Active vs. Passive Voice
Example 1: Present Indicative
Example 2: Imperfect vs. Perfect
"The soldiers were setting up camp." (ongoing background action)
"The soldiers set up camp." (completed, single event)
Example 3: Subjunctive in Context
Sequence of Tenses
When a subjunctive verb appears in a subordinate clause, its tense depends on the tense of the main verb. This rule governs purpose, result, and indirect-question clauses.
| Main Verb | Primary Sequence | Secondary Sequence |
|---|---|---|
| Present / Future / Future Perfect | Present Subj. (same time / after) | -- |
| Present / Future / Future Perfect | Perfect Subj. (before) | -- |
| Imperfect / Perfect / Pluperfect | -- | Imperfect Subj. (same time / after) |
| Imperfect / Perfect / Pluperfect | -- | Pluperfect Subj. (before) |
Common Mistakes
Summary: Verb Properties at a Glance
| Property | Values | How to Identify |
|---|---|---|
| Person | 1st, 2nd, 3rd | Personal ending |
| Number | Singular, Plural | Personal ending |
| Tense | Pres., Impf., Fut., Perf., Plpf., Fut. Perf. | Tense sign + stem choice |
| Mood | Indicative, Subjunctive, Imperative | Mood vowel + context clues |
| Voice | Active, Passive | Active vs. passive endings |
| Conjugation | 1st (-ā-), 2nd (-ē-), 3rd (-e-), 4th (-ī-) | Infinitive / 2nd principal part |
Question 1 of 5
The verb form mittēbat is best parsed as:
Question 2 of 5
Passage: Caesar lēgātōs mīsit ut Gallōs monērent.
In the sentence above, the verb monērent is subjunctive because:
Question 3 of 5
Which verb form correctly translates "they have been conquered"?
Question 4 of 5
In the sentence Hostēs urbem oppugnābant dum mīlitēs dormiēbant, what is the function of the two imperfect tense verbs?
Question 5 of 5
The 2nd principal part of a verb is audīre. To which conjugation does this verb belong?