3.2 Second conjugation

Second conjugation verbs in Latin are characterized by their -ē- stem vowel and -ēre infinitive ending. These verbs form a distinct group with unique patterns in present, imperfect, and future tenses, as well as in the perfect system.

Understanding second conjugation verbs is crucial for mastering Latin grammar and expanding vocabulary. This group includes common verbs like videō (I see) and moneō (I warn), as well as some irregular forms that require special attention.

Overview of second conjugation

• Second conjugation verbs form a distinct group in Latin verb classification, characterized by specific endings and patterns
• Understanding second conjugation verbs is crucial for mastering Latin grammar and expanding vocabulary
• Second conjugation verbs play a significant role in Latin literature and everyday language use

Characteristics of second conjugation

Stem vowel -e-

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• Distinguishing feature of second conjugation verbs
• Long -ē- appears in the present stem before personal endings
• Helps differentiate second conjugation from other verb groups
• Remains consistent throughout most tenses and moods

Present infinitive ending -ēre

• Unique identifier for second conjugation verbs
• Contrasts with first conjugation (-āre) and third conjugation (-ere)
• Always features a long -ē- before the final -re
• Used to cite verbs in dictionary entries and verb lists

Principal parts

Present active indicative

• First principal part of second conjugation verbs
• Ends in -eō (vidēo, I see)
• Provides the verb's basic meaning and stem
• Used to form present system tenses

Perfect active indicative

• Third principal part of second conjugation verbs
• Often ends in -uī (moneō, monuī)
• Some verbs have irregular perfect forms (videō, vīdī)
• Forms the basis for perfect system tenses

Perfect passive participle

• Fourth principal part of second conjugation verbs
• Typically ends in -itus (monitus, warned)
• Some verbs have irregular forms (visus, seen)
• Used to form passive perfect system tenses and participles

Present tense forms

Present active indicative

• Formed by adding personal endings to the present stem
• Singular: -eō, -ēs, -et
• Plural: -ēmus, -ētis, -ent
• Expresses actions happening in the present (moneō, I warn)

Present passive indicative

• Uses passive personal endings added to the present stem
• Singular: -eor, -ēris, -ētur
• Plural: -ēmur, -ēminī, -entur
• Indicates present actions done to the subject (moneor, I am warned)

Present active subjunctive

• Formed by changing the stem vowel -ē- to -ea-
• Adds regular subjunctive endings
• Used for various subordinate clauses and expressions of doubt or possibility
• Often translated with "may" or "might" (moneam, I may warn)

Present passive subjunctive

• Combines the -ea- stem change with passive endings
• Expresses potential or hypothetical passive actions in the present
• Used in purpose clauses and indirect commands
• Can be translated as "may be" or "might be" (monear, I may be warned)

Imperfect tense forms

Imperfect active indicative

• Formed by adding -ba- to the present stem, followed by personal endings
• Singular: -ēbam, -ēbās, -ēbat
• Plural: -ēbāmus, -ēbātis, -ēbant
• Expresses continuous or repeated actions in the past (monēbam, I was warning)

Imperfect passive indicative

• Uses the same -ba- suffix with passive personal endings
• Singular: -ēbar, -ēbāris, -ēbātur
• Plural: -ēbāmur, -ēbāminī, -ēbantur
• Indicates ongoing passive actions in the past (monēbar, I was being warned)

Imperfect active subjunctive

• Formed by adding -re- to the present stem, followed by personal endings
• Singular: -ērem, -ērēs, -ēret
• Plural: -ērēmus, -ērētis, -ērent
• Used in conditional sentences and certain subordinate clauses
• Often translated as "would" or "were" (monērem, I would warn)

Imperfect passive subjunctive

• Combines the -re- suffix with passive personal endings
• Singular: -ērer, -ērēris, -ērētur
• Plural: -ērēmur, -ērēminī, -ērentur
• Expresses hypothetical passive actions in the past
• Can be translated as "would be" or "were being" (monērer, I would be warned)

Future tense forms

Future active indicative

• Formed by adding -b- to the present stem, followed by personal endings
• Singular: -ēbō, -ēbis, -ēbit
• Plural: -ēbimus, -ēbitis, -ēbunt
• Expresses actions that will occur in the future (monēbō, I will warn)

Future passive indicative

• Uses the same -b- suffix with passive personal endings
• Singular: -ēbor, -ēberis, -ēbitur
• Plural: -ēbimur, -ēbiminī, -ēbuntur
• Indicates future passive actions (monēbor, I will be warned)

Perfect system forms

Perfect active indicative

• Formed using the third principal part
• Adds perfect active personal endings
• Singular: -ī, -istī, -it
• Plural: -imus, -istis, -ērunt
• Expresses completed actions in the past (monuī, I warned)

Pluperfect active indicative

• Formed by adding -era- to the perfect stem, followed by personal endings
• Singular: -eram, -erās, -erat
• Plural: -erāmus, -erātis, -erant
• Indicates actions completed before another past action (monueram, I had warned)

Future perfect active indicative

• Formed by adding -er- to the perfect stem, followed by personal endings
• Singular: -erō, -eris, -erit
• Plural: -erimus, -eritis, -erint
• Expresses actions that will be completed in the future (monuerō, I will have warned)

Imperative mood

Present active imperative

• Used for giving immediate commands
• Singular: stem only (monē, warn!)
• Plural: stem + -te (monēte, warn!)
• Negative commands use nōlī/nōlīte + infinitive

Future active imperative

• Used for commands to be carried out in the future
• Singular: stem + -tō (monētō, you shall warn)
• Plural: stem + -tōte (monētōte, you shall warn)
• Third person forms exist for formal or legal contexts

Common second conjugation verbs

Deponent verbs

• Verbs with passive forms but active meanings
• Follow second conjugation patterns for passive forms
• Include verbs like polliceor (to promise) and vereor (to fear)
• Principal parts typically end in -eor, -ērī, -itus sum

Semi-deponent verbs

• Verbs with active forms in present system, passive in perfect system
• Second conjugation examples include audeō (I dare) and gaudeō (I rejoice)
• Present active, but perfect passive participle (ausus, having dared)

Second conjugation vs first conjugation

• Second conjugation uses -ē- stem vowel, first uses -ā-
• Second conjugation infinitives end in -ēre, first in -āre
• Second conjugation present tense ends in -eō, first in -ō
• Future tense formation is similar, but with different stem vowels
• Perfect system forms often differ (second often -uī, first -āvī)

Irregular second conjugation verbs

• Some verbs deviate from standard second conjugation patterns
• Videō (I see) has irregular perfect vīdī and participle vīsus
• Maneō (I remain) has perfect mānsī and participle mānsus
• Iubeō (I order) has perfect iussī and participle iussus
• Learning these exceptions is crucial for accurate translation

Translation strategies

Identifying second conjugation verbs

• Look for the characteristic -ē- stem vowel in present tenses
• Check for -ēre ending in infinitives
• Recognize common second conjugation verb roots
• Be aware of irregular forms that may not follow standard patterns

Context clues for tense and mood

• Analyze surrounding words for temporal indicators (adverbs)
• Consider the overall narrative or sentence structure
• Look for subjunctive triggers (ut, cum, indirect questions)
• Pay attention to sequence of tenses in complex sentences