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In order to study and
remember the different conjugations of the Praesens Activum
well, it is important to take a close look at
the differences among the five
conjugations.
Traditionally
considered to be a sub-type of the third conjugation, this type is
handled separately here as a special (to make it easier for the
learner)
FIFTH CONJUGATION (THIRD -IO CONJUGATION)
The basic vowel in the fifth conjugation is i, the endings are -o,
-s, -t, -mus, -tis and -nt (-re for the infinitive). Be careful:
1. In the first person singular, the basic vowel doesn't disappear
following the presence of the ending o, which does happen in the
first conjugation.
2. In the third person plural, u is added as a binding vowel.
3. In the infinitive, the basic vowell i is always replaced by e
in the fifth conjugation.
The example verb is capere (=to catch, to conquer), the
stem of that verb is cap.
Verbum capere - verb to catch, to conquer (stem = cap)
capio
- I catch
capis
- you (s.) catch
capit
- he catches
capimus
- we catch
capitis
- you (pl.) catch
capiunt
- they catch
Some other verbs of the fifth conjugation:
facere - facio
- to make, to do
Remark: there are two differences between the fourth and
the fifth conjugation. One of them was already mentioned: the e in
the infinitive. The other one concerns the pronunciation. The
basic vowel (or the e in the infinitive in the fifth conjugations)
is pronouced long in the fourth and short in the fifth conjugation:
audire [i:], audio [i:] <--> capere [first e
pronounced as the a in ago], capio [i].
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© 1999-2003 by Cedric Van Assche
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