Questions tagged [imperfectum]
For questions concerning the imperfect tense, tempus imperfectum.
10 questions
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When to use perfect and imperfect
im not sure if questions relating to revising original latin content is allowed here so please tell me if I should remove my post.
This is what I wrote:
Marcus (speaking to Domitia): Merḗbās scīˈre| ...
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4
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Usurpare: use or usurp? A question about perfect vs. imperfect tense
Usurpare often means 'use' but it also can mean 'usurp'. In ancient and early modern texts on the Latin language, it can mean 'seize for a novel use'/'use in a new way'. Servius, for example, employs ...
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Why is the imperfect tense used here instead of the present tense?
From LLPSI Fabellae Latinae, the 67th story, "Infans Repertus":
Dum haec sēcum cōgitat, subitō mulier in viam exit multīs cum lacrimīs clāmāns: “Nūlla fēmina mē miserior vīvit! Melius erat ...
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Modalities for fictitious past: could have, should have, and would have
In English, the pattern [could/should/would + have done] is used for fictional expressions contrary to the fact, e.g.
You could have done your work yesterday (but you have not).
How to express such ...
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What does "vestem scindebat" mean?
In LLPSI (CAP. XXV, line 111), Ørberg wrote the following:
multīs cum lacrimīs capillum et vestem scindēbat
I would have expected "vestem scidit", since the action of tearing clothes is ...
user13971
4
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1
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To talk about repetitive past events (that used to occur regularly), do you use perfect or imperfect tense?
For example, how would you say "He used to come here every evening."? Would you say "Is hic venit quemque vesperem." or "Is hic veniebat quemque vesperem."? Or maybe ...
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'diceres vocem eius audiri posse' in 'Fabulae Syrae' in the story of Arachne (pag. 83), what is the correct translation of diceres?
In 'Fabulae Syrae' capitulum xxxii, in the second story 'Arachne' (pag. 83) while depicting the tapestry that Arachne wove, including the scene of Europa being carried off by Juppiter, this line ...
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Use of imperfect in a letter
In the teacher's letter in cap. XXIII of Orberg's Lingua Latina Per Se Illustrata Pars I Familia Romana, it says,
Scribebam Tusculi Kalendis Iuniis. Hic dies me monet de pecunia quam mihi debes.
Why ...
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4
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Adhibeturne tempus perfectum/imperfectum aut presens cum de homine mortuo loqueris?
In English, when a person who is deceased is being discussed, specifically when ascribing an attribute, concept, thing, etc. to them with a copulative verb, the simple past is typically used. E.g:
...
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Does 'fiebam' contain the same root twice?
I learned from this question and its answers that the imperfect marker -ba- comes from the same PIE root as fui and fio.
What about the form fiebam (and other persons) then?
Does it contain the same ...
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