The imperfect tense in Latin is formed by adding "ba" to the present stem of the verb and adding personal endings that are almost identical to the present tense endings. Exceptions exist for verbs ending in -iō, which add "ie" before "ba", and the irregular verb "to be", which has unique forms in the imperfect that use the same personal endings. The imperfect tense expresses incomplete or ongoing action in the past and can be translated as "was/were" or "used to" in English.

1. The Imperfect TenseChapter 4

2. Formation of the ImperfectThere is a simple formula to remember when forming the imperfect:present stem + “ba” + personal endings

3. 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.

4. ExamplesStep 1: Find the present stem by taking the –re off the infinitive.amo, amare, amavi Present stem= ama

5. Step 2Add “ba” to the present stem:

6. Step 3:Add the personal endings.

7. 3rd –io verbs and 4thPlease note that verbs whose first principal parts end in –iowill have an “ie” before the “ba.”Example: audio, audire, audivi

8. 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.”

9. 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!

10. Imperfect of “to be.”eram - I was eramus- we wereeras - you were eratis- you wereerat - he was erant- they were