Lesson 4: Present Tense Active (All 4 Conjugations + esse)
Conjugate Latin verbs in the present tense across all four conjugations plus the irregular verb esse.
Identifying the Four Conjugations
Latin verbs belong to one of four conjugations (plus a 3rd-io sub-type), identified by the infinitive ending:
| Conjugation | Infinitive ending | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | -āre | amāre | to love |
| 2nd | -ēre (long ē) | monēre | to warn, advise |
| 3rd | -ere (short e) | regere | to rule |
| 3rd -io | -ere (short e) | capere | to take, capture |
| 4th | -īre | audīre | to hear |
The difference between 3rd and 2nd conjugation is the vowel quantity on the infinitive: monēre (long ē) vs. regere (short e). This matters for forming tenses.
The 3rd-io conjugation looks like 3rd conjugation but behaves like 4th in several forms. Recognize these by their 1st-person singular present: capiō (not capō).
Present Tense Active Endings
These six endings attach to the present stem (infinitive minus -re):
| Person | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | -ō / -m | -mus |
| 2nd | -s | -tis |
| 3rd | -t | -nt |
The 1st-person singular uses -ō for most conjugations; -m for esse and some other forms.
Full Present Tense: All Four Conjugations
1st Conjugation: amāre (to love) — stem: amā-
| Person | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | amō | amāmus |
| 2nd | amās | amātis |
| 3rd | amat | amant |
2nd Conjugation: monēre (to warn) — stem: monē-
| Person | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | moneō | monēmus |
| 2nd | monēs | monētis |
| 3rd | monet | monent |
3rd Conjugation: regere (to rule) — stem: reg-
| Person | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | regō | regimus |
| 2nd | regis | regitis |
| 3rd | regit | regunt |
Note the connecting vowel -i- (except 1st sg. and 3rd pl. which uses -u-).
3rd-io Conjugation: capere (to take) — stem: cap-
| Person | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | capiō | capimus |
| 2nd | capis | capitis |
| 3rd | capit | capiunt |
Like 3rd conjugation but with -iō in 1st sg. and -iunt in 3rd pl.
4th Conjugation: audīre (to hear) — stem: audī-
| Person | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | audiō | audīmus |
| 2nd | audīs | audītis |
| 3rd | audit | audiunt |
Esse (to be) — Irregular
Esse is the most important irregular verb. Its forms must be memorized.
| Person | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | sum | sumus |
| 2nd | es | estis |
| 3rd | est | sunt |
Esse is often used as a linking verb: Puella bona est = "The girl is good."
Subject Pronouns
Latin usually omits subject pronouns because the verb ending shows the person. They are used only for emphasis or contrast.
| Person | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | ego (I) | nōs (we) |
| 2nd | tū (you) | vōs (you all) |
| 3rd m. | is (he) | eī / iī (they) |
| 3rd f. | ea (she) | eae (they) |
| 3rd n. | id (it) | ea (they) |
Key Vocabulary — Verbs
| Latin | Conjugation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| amāre | 1st | to love |
| laudāre | 1st | to praise |
| portāre | 1st | to carry |
| vocāre | 1st | to call |
| monēre | 2nd | to warn, advise |
| vidēre | 2nd | to see |
| habēre | 2nd | to have |
| regere | 3rd | to rule |
| dīcere | 3rd | to say, tell |
| mittere | 3rd | to send |
| capere | 3rd-io | to take, capture |
| facere | 3rd-io | to make, do |
| audīre | 4th | to hear |
| venīre | 4th | to come |
| esse | irreg. | to be |
Ten Example Sentences
1. Puella silvam amat.
- amat = 3rd sg., 1st conj. → Translation: The girl loves the forest.
2. Agricolae agrōs colunt.
- colunt = 3rd pl., 3rd conj. (colere, to cultivate) → Translation: The farmers cultivate the fields.
3. Magister puerōs monet.
- monet = 3rd sg., 2nd conj. → Translation: The teacher warns the boys.
4. Rēgīna oppidum regit.
- regit = 3rd sg., 3rd conj. → Translation: The queen rules the town.
5. Mīlitēs castra capiunt.
- capiunt = 3rd pl., 3rd-io conj. → Translation: The soldiers capture the camp.
6. Ego Latīnam linguam discō, tū Graecam discis.
- discō / discis = 1st/2nd sg., 3rd conj. (discere, to learn) — pronouns ego/tū used for contrast
- Translation: I am learning the Latin language; you are learning Greek.
7. Nōs sumus cīvēs Rōmānī.
- sumus = 1st pl. of esse → Translation: We are Roman citizens.
8. Servī verba dominī audiunt.
- audiunt = 3rd pl., 4th conj. → Translation: The slaves hear the words of the master.
9. Poēta carmen facit.
- facit = 3rd sg., 3rd-io conj. → Translation: The poet makes a song.
10. Nautae ad insulam veniunt.
- veniunt = 3rd pl., 4th conj. → Translation: The sailors come to the island.
Practice
A. Translate into English:
- Servus aquam portat.
- Magistrī puerōs laudant.
- Rēx oppidum videt.
- Tū carmen audis.
- Sumus amīcī.
B. Translate into Latin:
- The girl calls the woman. (vocat)
- We carry water to the town.
- The teacher sees the book.
- I am a sailor.
- The boys hear and love the songs.
Answer key A:
- The slave carries water.
- The teachers praise the boys.
- The king sees the town.
- You hear a song.
- We are friends.
Answer key B:
- Puella fēminam vocat.
- Aquam ad oppidum portāmus.
- Magister librum videt.
- Nauta sum.
- Puerī carmina audiunt et amant.
Summary
- The four conjugations are identified by the infinitive: -āre / -ēre / -ere / -īre.
- Present active endings: -ō, -s, -t, -mus, -tis, -nt (with connecting vowels in 3rd/4th).
- 3rd-io verbs resemble 4th in 1st sg. (-iō) and 3rd pl. (-iunt).
- Esse is irregular and must be memorized: sum, es, est, sumus, estis, sunt.
- Subject pronouns are optional — the verb ending alone conveys person and number.