Online Latin Drills
Prof. Margaret B. Phillips, University of Missouri at St. Louis
Verb aspects
Meanings of Latin present, imperfect, present perfect
Latin tense Meaning or aspect English tense present action going on now present progressive: I am standing (now). action is generally true but not necessarily at this moment simple present: I go to school every day. [present] perfect action finished at present or with results into the present present perfect: I have met her (and therefore I know her now).
He has died (and is dead now).snapshot: completed action simple past: I saw an accident.
I did (not) do it.imperfect past action with no implication about continuation into the present past progressive: You were studying at midnight (but no implication about whether you studied beyond that time). continued action in the past simple past + time expression (continually did . . .): He played basketball all through high school.
Quintus lived in Rome for many years.repeated or habitual action in the past simple past + adverb (did often or frequently, used to): I used to scold my children, but now I am kinder.
She frequently went to the movies.
We came to class every day last semester.
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