Expertlatin
- What is a deponent verb in Latin?
- Why does Latin have deponent verbs?
- Does English have deponent verbs?
- How do deponent verbs end Latin?
What is a deponent verb in Latin?
When a Latin verb is passive in form, but has an active meaning, it is called a deponent verb. For example: sequor, sequi, secutus sum (3) means 'to follow' and not 'to be followed'. Even though it appears to be passive, it is translated with an active meaning and can have an object following it.
Why does Latin have deponent verbs?
There is a group of verbs in Latin which have passive forms but active meanings. They are called deponent verbs because they have “laid aside” (dëpönö, -ere) their passive meanings but have retained their passive forms. They are translated only in the active voice.
Does English have deponent verbs?
Some verbs are deponent universally, but other verbs are deponent only in certain tenses, or use deponent forms from different voices in different tenses.
How do deponent verbs end Latin?
Regular, non-deponent verbs have active principal parts by default. So their first principal part ends in -ō. Deponent verbs only have passive endings, so their first principal part ends in -or. Notice as well that deponent verbs only have three principal parts, instead of the standard four.
