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The copula sum, esse, fuī, futūrus. To be. So far, we expect a sentence to show a subject (either present or implied) and a verb, and if the verb is transitive, a direct object. e.g. Pirata pisces vendit. Or, there is just a subject and verb if the verb is
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So far, we expect a sentence to show a subject (either present or implied) and a verb, and if the verb is transitive, a direct object. e.g. Pirata pisces vendit. Or, there is just a subject and verb if the verb is intransitive: hostis (per forum) currit. Or passive: rosa (ab ancilla) carpta est.
tobe: sum,esse, fuī, futūrus There is one verb that acts so differently that it could be considered no verb at all. Tobe: sum,esse, fuī, futūrus does not take a direct object but rather operates as an expression of equivalence.
tobe: sum,esse, fuī, futūrus • By equivalence is meant that the verb can be described as an equal sign, and should be marked thus. Equal sign because the things on either side of the verb describe (or simply are) the same thing. • Lucius erat asinus. • Lucius was a donkey • Lucius in Thessaliā fuerat hospes. Lucius had been a guest in Thessaly. • Photis est ancilla. Photis is a slave girl
By equivalence is meant that the two terms refer to the same thing Lucius erat asinus. Lucius is the same as the donkey Lucius in Thessaliā fuerat hospes. Lucius is the same as the guest in Thessaly. Photis est ancilla. Photis is the same as the slave girl
Mark-up with an = Thus there is no accusative, but two nominatives: S = S Lucius erat asinus. Some refer to the second S as P (for predicate), but that is not necessary. Since this is no ordinary verb, we will use the =
Forms of sum, esse, fui, futurus • The forms (irregular) are Indicative sing. plural Presentest sunt Imperfecterat erant Futureerit erunt Subjunctive Presentsit sint Imperfectesset essent (we have not yet learned any use for the present subjunctive)