In the reading underline or highlight all verbs in the imperfect tense. Write the present tense form of each imperfect verb in the space above it.

Using the verbs from #2 write the new version below (continue on paper)

Present tense

Ego Lucie nuntium do – I give a message to Lucy

We also looked at verbs in the past tense

For example:

Past tense (perfect)

Ego Lucie nuntium dedi – I gave a message to Lucy

This kind of past tense is called a perfect tense. It is used to describe an action in the past which is completed.

To describe a past action or state which is incomplete, we use an imperfect tense. This tense indicates an action which has gone on over a period time or has happened frequently. It is translated into English by ‘was/were’ + ‘-ing’ or ‘used to’.

For example:

Past tense (imperfect)

Ego Lucie nuntium dabam – I was giving a message to Lucy

Just as with the present and perfect tenses, we need to know the conjugation a verb belongs to in order to make an imperfect tense.

Remember

Latin verbs are divided into four groups, or conjugations.

In each conjugation, the verbs share the same endings:

An example of a first conjugation verb is: confirmo, confirmare, confirmavi, confirmatum (1) – to confirm.

An example of a second conjugation verb is: habeo, habere, habui, habitum (2) – to have

An example of a third conjugation verb is: duco, ducere, duxi, ductum (3) – to lead

An example of a fourth conjugation verb is: audio, audire, audivi, auditum (4) – to hear

The endings for the imperfect tense are similar to those of the present tense.

Explanation: