by Olly RichardsWhen reading in Latin, it is incredibly common to come across the Latin past tense. A lot of Latin works of literature are actually in the past tense since many are historical accounts or mythological stories.
Learning more tenses can be intimidating, but for the most part, the Latin past tense follows a very similar formula. By learning the past in Latin, you're going to vastly improve your knowledge of Latin!
In this post, you'll learn how to form, recognise, and translate the imperfect, perfect, pluperfect, and future perfect tenses in Latin.
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Table of Contents
Latin Imperfect Tense
The imperfect tense is when an action is continually happening in the past. Typically it is translated into English as “was x-ing,” “used to x,” “kept x-ing.”
- They were running to the bus.
- I kept eating food.
- You all used to sing.
The formula to create the imperfect tense is:
- present stem + imperfect vowel + ba + ending
Stem
The imperfect tense technically happens in the past but is formed using the present stem. Looking at the principal parts of a verb, you will take the second form, which is the present infinitive. For example for “to love”: amo, amare, amavi, amatus
You will take the infinitive ending off, which is the -xre ending. Therefore the present stem for “to love” would be am-
Imperfect Vowel
Then depending on the conjugation, you will add a vowel.
| Conjugation | Vowel |
| 1st -are | -a- |
| 2nd -ēre | -e- |
| 3rd -ere | -e- |
| 3rd io -io, -ere | -ie- |
| 4th -ire | -ie- |
Because “to love” is in the first conjugation in Latin, the vowel for it would be –a-.
Imperfect Endings
Finally, you will add the correct ending for the imperfect tense according to the person and number you need it for.
| Singular | Plural | |
| 1st person | -m | -mus |
| 2nd person | -s | -tis |
| 3rd person | -t | -nt |
Putting it all together
- Present stem + imperfect vowel + ba + ending
Using the first person singular you would get ambul+a+ba+m (I was walking.)
Full Verb Conjugations: Imperfect Tense Latin
Look at the examples of verbs conjugated in the imperfect tense.
| 1st conjugation amo, amare, amavi, amatus (to love) | Singular | Plural |
| 1st person | amabam (I was loving) | amabamus (we were loving) |
| 2nd person | amabas (you were loving) | amabatis (you all were loving) |
| 3rd person | amabat (s/he/it was loving) | amabant (they were loving) |
| 2nd conjugation rideo, ridēre, risi, risus (to laugh) | Singular | Plural |
| 1st person | ridebam (I was laughing) | ridebamus (we were laughing) |
| 2nd person | ridebas (you were laughing) | ridebatis (you all were laughing) |
| 3rd person | ridebat (s/he/it was laughing) | ridebant (they were laughing) |
| 3rd conjugation duco, ducere, duxi, ductus (to lead) | Singular | Plural |
| 1st person | ducebam (I was leading) | ducebamus (we were leading) |
| 2nd person | ducebas (you were leading) | ducebatis (you all were leading) |
| 3rd person | ducebat (s/he/it was leading) | ducebant (they were leading) |
| 3rd -io conjugation iacio, iacere, ieci, iactus (to throw) | Singular | Plural |
| 1st person | iaciebam (I was throwing) | iaciebamus (we were throwing) |
| 2nd person | iaciebas (you were throwing) | iaciebatis (you all were throwing) |
| 3rd person | iaciebat (s/he/it was throwing) | iaciebant (they were throwing) |
| 4th conjugation dormio, dormire, dormivi, dormitus (to sleep) | Singular | Plural |
| 1st person | dormiebam (I was sleeping) | dormiebamus (we were sleeping) |
| 2nd person | dormiebas (you were sleeping) | dormiebatis (you all were sleeping) |
| 3rd person | dormiebat (s/he/it was sleeping) | dormiebant (they were sleeping) |
Example Sentences
Here are some examples of Latin sentences in the imperfect tense.
- In viā ambulavi. (I was walking on the road.)
- Domu devertebatis. (You all were turning away from the house.)
- Canis ad virum latrabat. (The dog was barking at the man.)
Latin Perfect Tense
The perfect tense is an action that was completed once past. Typically it is translated as “x-ed,” unless the verb follows an irregular past tense pattern in English. If the verb is irregular in English, you can still translate it as “did x.”
- They did run to the bus.
- I spilled the water.
- You all watched.
The formula to create the perfect tense is:
- perfect stem + perfect ending
Stem
Unlike the imperfect tense, the perfect tense is formed through the perfect stem. Looking at the principal parts of a verb, you will take the third form, which is the perfect first-person singular form of the verb. For example for “to love”: amo, amare, amavi, amatus
You will take the -i to find the perfect stem. Therefore the perfect stem for “to love” would be amav-
Latin Perfect Endings
Finally, you will add the correct ending for the perfect tense according to the person and number you need it for.
| Singular | Plural | |
| 1st person | -i | -imus |
| 2nd person | -isti | -istis |
| 3rd person | -it | -erunt |
Putting it all together:
- Perfect stem + perfect ending
Using the first person singular you would get ambulav+i (I walked.)
Full Verb Conjugations: Latin Perfect Tense
Look at the examples of verbs conjugated in the perfect tense.
| 1st conjugation amo, amare, amavi, amatus (to love) | Singular | Plural |
| 1st person | amavi (I loved) | amavimus (we loved) |
| 2nd person | amavisti (you loved) | amavistis (you loved) |
| 3rd person | amavit (s/he/it loved) | amaverunt (they loved) |
| 2nd conjugation rideo, ridēre, risi, risus (to laugh) | Singular | Plural |
| 1st person | risi (I laughed) | risimus (we laughed) |
| 2nd person | risisti (you laughed) | risistis (you all laughed) |
| 3rd person | risit (s/he/it laughed) | riserunt (they laughed) |
| 3rd conjugation duco, ducere, duxi, ductus (to lead) | Singular | Plural |
| 1st person | duxi (I led) | duximus (we led) |
| 2nd person | duxisti (you led) | duxistis (you all led) |
| 3rd person | duxit (s/he/it led) | duxerunt (they led) |
| 3rd -io conjugation iacio, iacere, ieci, iactus (to throw) | Singular | Plural |
| 1st person | ieci (I threw) | iecimus (we threw) |
| 2nd person | iecisti (you threw) | iecistis (you all threw) |
| 3rd person | iecit (s/he/it threw) | iecerunt (they threw) |
| 4th conjugation dormio, dormire, dormivi, dormitus (to sleep) | Singular | Plural |
| 1st person | dormivi (I slept) | dormivimus (we slept) |
| 2nd person | dormivisti (you slept) | dormivistis (you all slept) |
| 3rd person | dormivit (s/he/it slept) | dormiverunt (they slept) |
Example Sentences
Here are some examples of sentences in the Latin perfect tense.
- Aquam bibisti. (You drank water.)
- In mare navigavimus. (We sailed on the sea.)
- Felem servavit. (She saved her cat.)
Latin Pluperfect Tense
The pluperfect tense is a tense that you don't use much. An action that happens in the pluperfect tense is an action that had been completed at a specific point in the past.
Typically it's translated as “had x-ed.” If the verb has an irregular past tense in English it would be “had” plus the irregular past tense form of that verb.
- They had run to the bus.
- I had spilled the water.
- You all had watched.
The formula to create the pluperfect tense is:
- perfect stem + pluperfect ending
Stem
The pluperfect tense uses the same perfect stem, which comes from the first principal part of the verb and removing the -i ending.
Pluperfect Endings
Finally, you will add the correct ending for the pluperfect tense according to the person and number you need it for.
| Singular | Plural | |
| 1st person | -eram | -eramus |
| 2nd person | -eras | -eratis |
| 3rd person | -erat | -erant |
Putting it all together:
- Perfect stem + pluperfect ending
Using the first person singular you would get ambulav+eram (I had walked.)
Full Verb Conjugations: Latin Pluperfect Tense
Look at the examples of verbs conjugated in the pluperfect tense.
| 1st conjugation amo, amare, amavi, amatus (to love) | Singular | Plural |
| 1st person | amaveram (I had loved) | amaveramus (we had loved) |
| 2nd person | amaveras (you had loved) | amaveratis (you all had loved) |
| 3rd person | amaverat (s/he/it had loved) | amaverant (they had loved) |
| 2nd conjugation rideo, ridēre, risi, risus (to laugh) | Singular | Plural |
| 1st person | riseram (I had laughed) | riseramus (we had laughed) |
| 2nd person | riseras (you had laughed) | riseratis (you all had laughed) |
| 3rd person | riserat (s/he/it had laughed) | riserant (they had laughed) |
| 3rd conjugation duco, ducere, duxi, ductus (to lead) | Singular | Plural |
| 1st person | duxeram (I had led) | duxeramus (we had led) |
| 2nd person | duxeras (you had led) | duxeratis (you all had led) |
| 3rd person | duxerat (s/he/it had led) | duxerant (they had led) |
| 3rd -io conjugation iacio, iacere, ieci, iactus (to throw) | Singular | Plural |
| 1st person | ieceram (I had thrown) | ieceramus (we had thrown) |
| 2nd person | ieceras (you had thrown) | ieceratis (you all had thrown) |
| 3rd person | iecerat (s/he/it had thrown) | iecerant (they had thrown) |
| 4th conjugation dormio, dormire, dormivi, dormitus (to sleep) | Singular | Plural |
| 1st person | dormiveram (I had slept) | dormiveramus (we had slept) |
| 2nd person | dormiveras (you had slept) | dormiveratis (you all had slept) |
| 3rd person | dormiverat (s/he/it had slept) | dormiverant (they had slept) |
Example Sentences
Here are some examples of sentences in the pluperfect tense Latin.
- Ad urbem perveneratis. You all had come to the city.
- Quaesita rogaverat. She had asked questions.
- Gladios exerciti dederant. They had given the swords to the army.
Latin Future Perfect Tense
The Latin future perfect tense is a tense that you use to describe an action that will have been completed in the future.
Typically it is translated as “will have x-ed.” If the verb has an irregular past tense in English it would be “will have” plus the irregular past tense form of that verb.
- By this time next week, they will have gone on holiday.
- I will not have finished before you leave.
- You will have watched the movie by the time I get there.
The formula to create the pluperfect tense is:
- perfect stem + future perfect ending
Stem
The future perfect tense uses the same perfect stem, which comes from the first principal part of the verb and removing the -i ending.
Future Perfect Endings
Finally, you will add the correct ending for the future perfect tense according to the person and number you need it for.
| Singular | Plural | |
| 1st person | -ero | -erimus |
| 2nd person | -eris | -eritis |
| 3rd person | -erit | -erint |
Putting it all together:
- Perfect stem + future perfect ending
Using the first person singular you would get ambulav+ero (I will have walked.)
Full Verb Conjugations: Latin Future Perfect
Look at the examples of verbs conjugated in the future perfect tense.
| 1st conjugation amo, amare, amavi, amatus (to love) | Singular | Plural |
| 1st person | amavero (I will have loved) | amaverimus (we will have loved) |
| 2nd person | amaveris (you will have loved) | amaveritis (you all will have loved) |
| 3rd person | amaverit (s/he/it will have loved) | amaverint (they will have loved) |
| 2nd conjugation rideo, ridēre, risi, risus (to laugh) | Singular | Plural |
| 1st person | risero (I will have laughed) | riserimus (we will have laughed) |
| 2nd person | riseris (you will have laughed) | riseritis (you all will have laughed) |
| 3rd person | riserit (s/he/it will have laughed) | riserint (they will have laughed) |
| 3rd conjugation duco, ducere, duxi, ductus (to lead) | Singular | Plural |
| 1st person | duxero (I will have led) | ducerimus (we will have led) |
| 2nd person | duceris (you will have led) | duceritis (you will have led) |
| 3rd person | ducerit (s/he/it will have led) | ducerint (they will have led) |
| 3rd -io conjugation iacio, iacere, ieci, iactus (to throw) | Singular | Plural |
| 1st person | iecero (I will have thrown) | iecerimus (we will have thrown) |
| 2nd person | ieceris (you will have thrown) | ieceritis (you all will have thrown) |
| 3rd person | iecerit (s/he/it will have thrown) | iecerint (they will have thrown) |
| 4th conjugation dormio, dormire, dormivi, dormitus (to sleep) | Singular | Plural |
| 1st person | dormivero (I will have slept) | dormiverimus (we will have been sleeping) |
| 2nd person | dormiveris (you will have slept) | dormiveritis (you all will have slept) |
| 3rd person | dormiverit (s/he/it will have slept) | dormiverint (they will have slept) |
Example sentences
Here are some examples of Latin sentences in the future perfect tense.
- Cras pontem instituerint. (Tomorrow they will have built the bridge.)
- Puer suum cibum ederit. (The boy will have eaten their food.)
- Nostrum praeceptum didicerimus. (We will have learned our lesson. )
FAQs About Latin Past Tense
Does Latin have a past tense?
Latin has three past tenses: imperfect, perfect, and pluperfect.
The imperfect tense (imperfectum) describes actions that were ongoing, habitual, repeated, or incomplete in the past. It sets the scene or provides background information.
Here's an example:
In viā ambulavi. (I was walking on the road.)
The perfect tense (perfectum) is for actions that have been completed in the past. It often corresponds to the simple past in English (e.g., “I loved”).
Here's an example:
In mare navigavimus. (We sailed on the sea.)
The pluperfect tense (pluperfectum) expresses actions that had been completed before another past action. It is equivalent to “had loved” in English.
Here's an example :
Imperator victōre erat cessit. The commander had ceased to be victorious.
What are the four tenses of Latin?
Latin verbs are categorised into six tenses:
Present – Actions happening now.
Imperfect – Ongoing or habitual past actions.
Future – Actions that will happen.
Perfect – Completed past actions.
Pluperfect – Actions completed before another past action.
Future Perfect – Actions that will have been completed in the future.
What is the preterite in Latin?
The Latin equivalent of the preterite is primarily the perfect tense (perfectum).
The perfect tense is for actions that have been completed in the past. It often corresponds to the simple past in English (e.g., “I loved”).
Here's an example:
Aquam bibisti. (You drank water.)
Is imperfect past tense in Latin?
Yes, Latin has an imperfect past tense (imperfectum) which describes actions that were ongoing, habitual, repeated, or incomplete in the past, similar to were/was + verb+ing in English.
Here are some examples of the Latin imperfect tense:
In viā ambulavi. (I was walking on the road.)
Domu devertebatis. (You all were turning away from the house.)
Canis ad virum latrabat. (The dog was barking at the man.)
Mastering The Latin Past Tense
When mastering the Latin past tense, it all comes down to the basics.
While it may seem difficult when looking at all of these tables and endings (at least that's what the grammar villain wants you to think!), by following the formulas you will be set up for success in working with the Latin past tense.
Of the four tenses, the imperfect tense is the most different since it is formed from the present stem. The perfect, pluperfect, and future perfect are some of the easiest tenses to create and translate since they are nearly identical!
It's important to note the similarities in the endings. The first singular forms mostly ends in -m, first plural all end in -mus, second singular and plural all use some combination of -s-, and the third singular and plural all end in -t. From there it is all checking the vowel and the presence or absence of -er- or -ba-.
Make sure that you use the StoryLearning® method and practice reading different real Latin passages to help you recognise these past tenses. Not just that, but you should also practice by creating your own sentences.
As always, practice makes perfect!
