amārem, essem: the imperfect subjunctive and the sequence of tenses
The infinitive plus endings, and how the main verb picks the tense of the subjunctive.
LatinAdvanced Latin · The subjunctiveAbout 4 min: 1 reading, 3 practiceUpdated
- Form the imperfect subjunctive from the present infinitive
- Tell primary from secondary tenses
- Choose present or imperfect subjunctive by the sequence of tenses
Latin Level 3: constructions: lesson 3 of 14
- Advanced Latin · The subjunctive
- amem, regam, sim: the present subjunctive 4 min
- ut, nē, quī: purpose clauses 3 min
- amārem, essem: the imperfect subjunctive and the sequence of tenses 4 min
- amāverim, amāvissem; indirect commands 3 min
- possim; "I fear that …" 3 min
- Advanced Latin · Participles and irregular verbs
- amāns, amātus, amātūrus, amandus: participles 3 min
- volō, nōlō, mālō; the ablative absolute 4 min
- Advanced Latin · Clauses
- fīō; "so … that": result clauses 4 min
- "The man to lead us": clauses of characteristic 3 min
- cum: when, since, although 3 min
- Advanced Latin · Participles and irregular verbs
- amandī, ad urbem videndam: gerund and gerundive 4 min
- Advanced Latin · Clauses
- eō; "he said that …": indirect statement 4 min
- ferō; the dative with compounds; indirect questions 4 min
- Advanced Latin · Review
- The cases and the moods: a review 4 min
Try first
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Pairs with D'Ooge, Latin for Beginners (Ginn, 1909), Lesson LXIII ("Inflection of the Imperfect Subjunctive · The Sequence of Tenses"), §§ 354–359
What it is
The imperfect subjunctive is the easiest form in Latin: take the present active infinitive and add the personal endings.
| amāre | esse | |
|---|---|---|
| I | amārem | essem |
| you | amārēs | essēs |
| he/she | amāret | esset |
| we | amārēmus | essēmus |
| you pl. | amārētis | essētis |
| they | amārent | essent |
So monērem, regerem, caperem, audīrem. Passive: amārer, amārēris, amārētur …
Sequence of tenses. The main verb decides the tense of a subjunctive that depends on it:
| Main verb (indicative) | Subjunctive |
|---|---|
| Primary: present, future, future perfect | present |
| Secondary: imperfect, perfect (simple past, "sent"), pluperfect | imperfect |
(This is for an action going on at the same time or later. For a completed action, primary takes the perfect subjunctive and secondary the pluperfect; you will meet these with indirect questions.)
- Mittit hominēs ut agrōs vāstent. → He sends men to lay waste the fields.
- Mīsit hominēs ut agrōs vāstārent. → He sent men to lay waste the fields.
Quick check
Tap an answer to check it.
"He sent soldiers to attack the town." Which subjunctive?
- After a secondary (past) main verb, use the imperfect
Show answer
oppugnārent. Sequence: secondary main verb → imperfect subjunctive.
Why it matters
Almost every past-tense story uses the imperfect subjunctive, because the main verbs are past. Learn the sequence once and every purpose, result and indirect question falls into line.
Worked example
- Rēx nūntium mittit quī cīvēs moneat. → The king sends a messenger to warn the citizens. (primary → present)
- Rēx nūntium mīsit quī cīvēs monēret. → The king sent a messenger to warn the citizens. (secondary → imperfect)
- Fūgērunt nē caperentur. → They fled so as not to be captured.
Common mistake
Keeping the present subjunctive after a past main verb: wrong: Mīsit ut vāstent. A secondary (past) main verb takes a secondary subjunctive: vāstārent.
Key terms
- imperfect subjunctive
- present infinitive + endings: amārem
- essem, essēs, esset
- imperfect subjunctive of sum
- primary tenses
- present, future, future perfect
- secondary tenses
- imperfect, perfect, pluperfect
- sequence of tenses
- primary goes with primary, secondary with secondary
Practise the key terms
Tap a card to turn it over. 5 cards.
| Front | Back |
|---|---|
| imperfect subjunctive | present infinitive + endings: amārem |
| essem, essēs, esset | imperfect subjunctive of sum |
| primary tenses | present, future, future perfect |
| secondary tenses | imperfect, perfect, pluperfect |
| sequence of tenses | primary goes with primary, secondary with secondary |
Practice
Recognition drill
Pick the right answer, as fast as you can.
All pairs
Tap a card to turn it over. 6 cards.
| Front | Back |
|---|---|
| amat | amāret |
| regunt | regerent |
| audīmus | audīrēmus |
| capit | caperet |
| est | esset |
| sunt | essent |
Sort it
Primary or secondary main verb?
mittit
Present.Show answer
Primary. Present.
mīsit
Perfect.Show answer
Secondary. Perfect.
mittet
Future.Show answer
Primary. Future.
mittēbat
Imperfect.Show answer
Secondary. Imperfect.
mīserat
Pluperfect.Show answer
Secondary. Pluperfect.
Quick quiz
Tap an answer to check it.
"They came to hear the king."
- After a past main verb, use the imperfect subjunctive
Show answer
Vēnērunt ut rēgem audīrent.. Secondary sequence: audīrent.
Practise speaking
Studyfern has no voice tools of its own. To practise out loud, copy this prompt into a voice-capable AI assistant and talk with it.
You are a patient Latin tutor. Use the classical pronunciation only, never the Church one: c is always k, g is always hard, v sounds like w, ae like the ai in aisle, and long vowels are held longer. Speak slowly. Use only these Latin words: ut, nē, mittit, mīsit, venit, vēnērunt, fūgērunt, audiant, audīrent, videat, vidēret, caperentur, rēx, nūntium, cīvēs, mīlitēs, oppidum, oppugnent, oppugnārent. Say an English sentence in the present, like 'he sends soldiers to attack the town', and I will say it in Latin. Then put it into the past, 'he sent soldiers to attack the town', and I will change both verbs. Do 6 pairs. After each answer, tell me what kind of mistake I made, if any, and let me try again, then tell me one thing to improve. Keep every reply under 2 sentences. If I need a name or a town, I will make one up. Speak English except for the Latin itself.
Listen too. Listen to native speakers before and after: see the free listening and shadowing links.
Good to know. AI feedback on pronunciation is hit and miss, so check yourself against native recordings. This course teaches the classical pronunciation (see lesson 1); AI voices may mix it with the Church (Italian-style) one, so ask for classical and check against lesson 1. Don't share personal details: use a made-up name and town.
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In short
- Imperfect subjunctive = present infinitive + -m, -s, -t, -mus, -tis, -nt.
- sum: essem, essēs, esset …
- Primary main verb → present subjunctive; secondary → imperfect.
Mastery check
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Check yourself
Answer in your head first, then open the answer. Nothing is saved.
Give the imperfect subjunctive of veniō, "they".
Show answer
venīrent.
Is the perfect mīsit primary or secondary?
Show answer
Secondary, when it means a simple past, "he sent".
Translate Vēnit ut nōs monēret.
Show answer
He came to warn us.
Further reading
- D'Ooge, Latin for Beginners, Lesson LXIII, §§ 354–359. Public domain; Project Gutenberg.
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