Formation of the Imparfait in Latin
The imparfait latin is a fundamental tense in Latin grammar, used to describe ongoing or habitual actions in the past. This page provides a detailed explanation of how to form the imparfait in both active and passive voices.
Active Voice Formation
For most conjugations, the imparfait endings are consistent:
-bam, -bas, -bat, -bamus, -batis, -bant
Example: The verb "amare" (to love) in the imparfait:
amabam, amabas, amabat, amabamus, amabatis, amabant
However, for the 3rd mixed and 4th conjugations, there's a slight variation:
Highlight: For 3rd mixed and 4th conjugations, add "ie" before the imparfait ending.
Example: The verb "rapere" (to seize) in the imparfait:
rapiebam, rapiebas, rapiebat, rapiebamus, rapiebatis, rapiebant
Passive Voice Formation
To construct the imparfait passif latin, use the following endings:
-r, -ris, -tur, -mur, -mini, -ntur
Example: The verb "amare" in the imparfait passif latin:
amabar, amabaris, amabatur, amabamur, amabamini, amabantur
Understanding these patterns is crucial for mastering Latin conjugations and effectively using the imparfait in both active and passive constructions. This knowledge forms the foundation for more advanced Latin grammar concepts and helps in translating and comprehending Latin texts accurately.