Explain first vs second conjugation with examples
First and second conjugations refer to categories of verbs that follow specific patterns when being conjugated, most notably in Latin grammar. The core difference between first and second conjugation verbs is their stem vowel and the endings used in various tenses.
First Conjugation
First conjugation verbs in Latin are identified by the “-āre” ending in their infinitive form, with a stem vowel of “a” (long “ā”). An example is the verb “amare” (to love). 5, 8
- Example: “amare” (to love)
- Present tense conjugation:
- Another example: “laudare” (to praise)
- laudō, laudās, laudat, laudāmus, laudātis, laudant. 5
Second Conjugation
Second conjugation verbs in Latin are recognized by the “-ēre” ending in their infinitive, with a stem vowel of “e” (long “ē”). An example is the verb “tenēre” (to hold). 8, 6
- Example: “tenēre” (to hold)
- Present tense conjugation:
- Another example: “vidēre” (to see)
- videō, vidēs, videt, vidēmus, vidētis, vident. 8
Comparison Table
| Aspect | First Conjugation | Second Conjugation |
|---|---|---|
| Infinitive Ending | -āre (amāre) 5, 8 | -ēre (tenēre, vidēre) 6, 8 |
| Stem Vowel | Long “ā” 5, 8 | Long “ē” 6, 8 |
| Example Verb | amāre (to love) 5, 8 | tenēre (to hold), vidēre (to see) 6, 8 |
| Present Endings | -ō, -ās, -at, -āmus, -ātis, -ant 5, 6, 8 | -eō, -ēs, -et, -ēmus, -ētis, -ent 6, 8 |
Both types follow regular, predictable patterns, so learning these stem and ending changes is crucial for reading and translating Latin verbs effectively. 5, 6, 8