CONJUGATION
[Sidenote: _Definition._]
236. Conjugation is the regular arrangement of the forms of the
verb in the various voices, moods, tenses, persons, and numbers.
In classical languages, conjugation means _joining together_ the
numerous endings to the stem of the verb; but in English, inflections
are so few that conjugation means merely the exhibition of the forms and the different verb phrases that express the relations of voice, mood, tense, etc.
[Sidenote: _Few forms._]
237. Verbs in modern English have only four or five forms;
for example, _walk_ has _walk_, _walks_, _walked_, _walking_, sometimes adding the old forms _walkest_, _walkedst_, _walketh_.
Such verbs as
_choose_ have five,--_choose_, _chooses_, _chose_, _choosing_,
_chosen_ (old, _choosest_, _chooseth_, _chosest_).
The verb _be_ has more forms, since it is composed of several
different roots,--_am_, _are_, _is_, _were_, _been_, etc.
238. INFLECTIONS OF THE VERB _BE_.
Indicative Mood
PRESENT TENSE. | PAST TENSE.
|
_Singular_ _Plural_ | _Singular_ _Plural_
|
1. I am We are | 1. I was We were
2. You are You are | 2. You were You were
(thou art) | (thou wast, wert)
3. [He] is [They] are | 3. [He] was [They were]
Subjunctive Mood
PRESENT TENSE. | PAST TENSE.
|
_Singular_ _Plural_ | _Singular_ _Plural_
|
1. I be We be | 1. I were We were
2. You (thou) be You be | 2. You were You were
| (thou wert)
3. [He] be [They] be | 3. [He] were [They] were
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