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
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We are Romans.
Where is Mārcus? He is in the tavern.
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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.
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Вправи для практикиWe are Romans.
Sumus is normally required: English cannot drop 'are' either. Latin does drop est and sunt - in maxims, headings, inscriptions and with participles - but in ordinary prose it is written.
Where is Mārcus? He is in the tavern.
Est appears twice and belongs both times. The copula is dropped in maxims and inscriptions, not in conversation.
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