Latin/Imperatives Lesson 3

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In today’s lesson, we’ll continue with the imperative mood, used to give commands. Please note that this is not the only way of giving a command or request; later on we’ll need to understand the subjunctive mood, which is used for commands and many other functions in Latin. Also we introduce an interjection, ecce which was used for a great many purposes, including in an imperative sense for “look” or behold”.

Often taught alongside the imperative mood is the “vocative” case. This is the case (of nouns) used for direct address. It is identical to the nominative for all plural nouns, and for most singular nouns as well. The only time we need to use a different ending is for nouns (and adjectives) of the 2nd conjugation ending in –us. Then, the –us ending becomes –e, except if the noun ends in –ius normally, and then it becomes –ī. So for example, amīcus becomes amīce; fīlius becomes fīlī; puer stays the same. There are some other exceptions, but it isn’t that difficult. The vocative usually does not stand first in the sentence.

Practice
We hope you continue to enjoy these lessons. Next we to begin introducing the imperfect tense of verbs. Valēte!