thirdconjugation

Third conjugation is a class of Latin verbs whose present infinitive ends in -ere. It is the largest and most diverse of the four regular Latin conjugations and includes many common verbs such as ducere (to lead), mittere (to send), and scribere (to write). Like the other conjugations, it provides a standard set of tenses and voices, with its own characteristic endings and stem changes.

In the present system, the active indicative endings for most third-conjugation verbs are -o, -is, -it, -imus, -itis, -unt. For example, ducō, ducis, ducIt, ducimus, ducitis, ducunt. The present subjunctive and other forms follow regular patterns with stem adjustments as needed. The imperfect active uses -ebam, -eās, -ebat, -ebāmus, -ebātis, -ebant. The future active endings are -am, -ēs, -et, -ēmus, -ētis, -ent (e.g., ducam, duces, ducet, ducēmus, ducētis, ducent). The perfect system employs the perfect stem with -ī endings in the active (duxī, duxistī, duxit, duximus, duxistis, duxērunt) and associated passive forms with participles such as ductus.

A notable feature is that the third conjugation includes i-stem verbs, often called third-io, whose present active forms look like capio, capis, capit, capimus, capitis, capiunt. Their future forms typically show -iam, -ies, -iet, -iemus, -ietis, -ient. Many common verbs fall into this subgroup, making the third conjugation the most frequently encountered in literature.

Overall, the third conjugation combines a wide range of verb meanings with varied stem patterns, making it central to classical Latin grammar and usage.