Lecture Notes: First and Second Conjugation Verbs in the Imperative Mood

Introduction

• The imperative mood comes from the Latin verb imperō-āre (to order or demand).
• It is the mood used for commands.
• Examples: common commands from childhood, usually indicated with an exclamation mark in English.

Imperative Mood in Latin

• Specifically has endings to recognize commands in Latin.
• Only two forms:
  • Second person singular (you)
  • Second person plural (you all)
• Commands involving oneself (e.g., “let's do something”) use the subjunctive mood.
  • This is an invitation, exhortation, or suggestion.
  • Subjunctive mood discussed later.
• Two types of commands:
  • Affirmative Imperative: Tells someone to do something.
  • Negative Imperative: Tells someone not to do something; can be just as strong as the affirmative.

Forms of the Imperative in Latin

• Affirmative Imperative:

  • Singular and plural forms are different.
  • Forming the imperative is regular:
    • For 1st conjugation: drop -āre from the infinitive.
    • For 2nd conjugation: drop -ēre from the infinitive.
  • Examples:
    • Singular: laudā (command to one person to praise), monē (command to one person to warn)
    • Plural: laudāte (command to a group to praise), monēte (command to a group to warn)
  • Common Expressions:
    • Salvē!: Command from salveō-ēre (be well)
    • Valē!: Command from valeō-ēre (be strong)
    • Plural forms: salvēte, valēte

• Negative Imperative:

  • “Don’t” in English becomes using nōlō-nōlle in Latin, meaning
  • Example: "Don't go" translates to using nōlī (singular) or nōlīte (plural) plus the infinitive of the verb.

Vocative Case

• Imperatives often accompanied by a noun in the vocative case.

Practice Exercises

• Simple substitutions for commands:
  • Transform singular commands to plural: laudā becomes laudāte
  • Transform plural commands to singular: Reverse process

Conclusion

• Covered imperative tense for first and second conjugation verbs.
• Preparation for comprehension check.