26.03.24: the imperfect tense [2]

The first image shows the first conjugation of the present and imperfect tense. Take a close look because the imperfect is formed by an infix -ba / bā – to which personal endings are added; /m/ is also a personal ending and you’ve already seen it in sum (I am) and possum (I can):

labōrā-ba-m: I was working / used to work

labōrā-bā-s: You (sg.) were working / used to work

etc.

Those endings -bam, -bās, -bat etc. are the same for all the conjugations. It’s such a noticeable form that it “jumps out” at you from the page.

The only small difference is that the stem vowel will vary according to conjugation, but the imperfect ending is still shouting at you.

labōrō, labōrāre [1] > labōrābam, labōrābās etc. I was working, you (sg.) used to work etc.

Rōmae habitābam. │ I used to live in Rome.

Pater meus Lutetiae labōrābat. │ My father used to work in Paris.

sedēo, sedēre [2] > sedēbam, sedēbās etc. I used to sit, you (sg.) were sitting etc.

Mārcus in hortō sedēbat. │ Marcus was sitting in the garden. 

Ancilla cēnam in culīnā parābat. │ The maidservant was preparing dinner in the kitchen

legō, legere [3] > legēbam [long /ē/], legēbās etc. I was reading, you (sg.) used to read etc.

Librōs historicōs saepe legēbam. │ I often read / I would often read / I often used to read historical books.

faciō, facere [3-iō] > faciēbam [-iē-], faciēbās etc. I used to do, you (sg.) were doing etc.

Quid est, Catilīna? num dubitās id mē imperante facere, quod iam tuā sponte faciēbās? (Cicero) │ What is it, Catiline? Surely you do not hesitate to do, at my command, that which you were already doing of your own accord?

audiō, audīre [4] > audiēbam [-iē-], audiēbās etc. I was listening, you (sg.) were listening etc.

Hunc audiēbant anteā. (Cic.) │ They used to hear of him before.

The second image shows the imperfect tenses of all four conjugations.