1st/2nd
CONJUGATION FORMATION OF THE PRESENT TENSE
The rule: verb
root + conjugation vowel + personal endings
1. FIND THE ROOT OF
THE VERB
1. refer to
the verb's principal parts
example 1st
conjugation: laudo, laudāre,
laudāvi,
laudātum
example 2nd conjugation: moneo, monēre,
monui, monitum
2. refer specifically to the verb's 2nd principal part, the infinitive (laudāre).
We recall that infinitive suggests that no limit has yet
been placed on this verb - laudāre
means "to praise" only in the most general sense. Finite
verb forms are also called conjugated verb forms -
they are limited by person (1st, 2nd, 3rd) and number (singular and
plural) (ex: laudamus specifically means "we praise," we
are praising," or "we do praise" and nothing else.)
Although infinitives lack person and number, they do have tense and this
will become important later.
2. ADD THE
CONJUGATION VOWEL TO THE ROOT
1.
Again, refer specifically to the verb's 2nd principal part, the infinitive
(laudāre
or monēre),
to find the vowel associated with this conjugation. In first conjugation,
the vowel is (ā).
In second conjugation, the vowel is ē. This
vowel will appear in all formations of the present tense of 1st and 2nd
conjugation verbs. Exception:
in the 1st person singular form of 1st conjugation verbs, the ā
is overwhelmed by the o and gets assimilated into it. Be
assured that it is in there, even though it is invisible.
3.
ADD THE PERSONAL ENDINGS FOR THE PRESENT TENSE
