Latin/Passive Voice Lesson 2

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Last lesson we introduced the passive voice in the present system of the indicative, that is, present, imperfect, and future tenses. This time we’ll focus on the perfect, pluperfect, and future perfect tenses of the passive indicative, collectively known as the perfect system. We have already learned some deponent verbs, which have active meaning but passive forms; regular verbs are conjugated the same way in the passive. You can find the lesson with deponent verbs in the perfect tenses here.

The 4th principal part of regular verbs is necessary for the perfect system passive. You may also want to check out the Memrise course for the principal parts, linked at the top of the lesson, because frequently there is considerable difference between the first and the fourth, and typically requires some memory work. The 4th principal part is also known as the perfect passive participle (henceforth referred to as “PPP”.)

Datus, a, um, PPP of dō, as a participle, can act as an adjective that means “having been given/ given.” And it can be declined to match the noun it modifies. We will have another lesson in the future to deal with participles and participial phrases.

For our lesson today in expressing perfect passive, the PPP will agree with the subject of the sentence, whether that subject is expressed or not. So the possible endings are us, a, um/ ī, ae, a = nominative singular (m, f, n); nominative plural (m, f, n). Then, to form the perfect passive, the present tense forms of sum are added. (The pluperfect uses the imperfect forms of sum, and the future perfect uses the future forms, but these are much less frequent).

Practice
As always, we appreciate the Latin learners who have gathered in this course and hope these lessons are helpful to you. We welcome your questions or comments on the discuss page. Valē et bonam fortūnam!