The Imperfect TenseChapter 4

Formation of the ImperfectThere is a simple formula to

remember when forming the imperfect:

present stem + “ba” + personal endings

Exception!The personal endings are ALMOST

identical to the ones that you used with the present tense. They are:

-m* -mus-s -tis-t -nt

*In the present tense, 1st person, singular ending was an –o.

Examples

Step 1: Find the present stem by taking the –re off the infinitive.

amo, amare, amavi

Present stem= ama

Step 2Add “ba” to the present stem:

Singular Plural

1st person amaba amaba

2nd person amaba amaba

3rd person amaba amaba

Step 3:Add the personal endings.

Singular Plural

1st person amabam amabamus

2nd person amabas amabatis

3rd person amabat amabant

3rd –io verbs and 4thPlease note that verbs whose

first principal parts end in –io will have an “ie” before the “ba.”

Example: audio, audire, audivi

Singular Plural

1st person audiebam audiebamus

2nd person audiebas audiebatis

3rd person audiebat audiebant

TranslationThe imperfect tense is used for

incomplete action in the past.Translate it with “was,” “were,” or

“used to.”“Amabat” could be translated as

“he was loving” or “he used to love.”

Imperfect of “to be.”Because the verb “to be” is

irregular, you will have to memorize the imperfect forms just as you did for the present.

Notice that the endings are still the same, though!

Imperfect of “to be.”eram - I was eramus -

we were

eras - you wereeratis - you were

erat - he was erant - they were