Sum in present tense
The verb sum (to be) is the single most frequent verb in Latin, and it is irregular, so it pays to memorize it early.
Can recognize Sum in present tense in a short Latin prompt
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
Marcus reads.
Julia sees the tablet.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
The verb sum (to be) is the single most frequent verb in Latin, and it is irregular, so it pays to memorize it early. You will need it to link a subject with a description or an identity: "The road is long", "We are Romans". Because it does not follow the neat conjugation patterns, learn its six forms as a set.
| Person | Latin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 1st sg. | sum | I am |
| 2nd sg. | es | you are |
| 3rd sg. | est | he/she/it is |
| 1st pl. | sumus | we are |
| 2nd pl. | estis | you (all) are |
| 3rd pl. | sunt | they are |
Examples: Roma clara est. - Rome is famous. Discipuli sumus. - We are students.
For English speakers: two things trip learners up. First, as with any Latin verb, no subject pronoun is needed - sum by itself means "I am". Second, the word that follows sum and describes the subject stays in the same case as the subject (the nominative), so you say puella laeta est ("the girl is happy"), with laeta matching puella. English has no such agreement, so make a point of matching the endings.
Marcus reads.
Example for Sum in present tense.
Julia sees the tablet.
A short A1 sentence with visible endings.
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises