Present Subjunctive: amem

Level 5

Replace the a with e before the endings: amo gives amem.

How It Works

Personindicativesubjunctive
Iamoamem
you (one)amasames
he, she, itamatamet
weamamusamemus
you (all)amatisametis
theyamantament

The subjunctive does not state plain facts. It is the mood for what someone urges or wishes, and for a purpose. English has no single form for it, so the translation depends on the job.

Oremus urges: let us pray. Utinam with the subjunctive wishes: if only. After ut it gives a purpose: so that.

Other first conjugation verbs follow the same change: laudemus, adoremus, adiuvem.

Examples (5)

  1. Oremus.

    Let us pray.

    Oremus urges: the first person plural subjunctive of orare.

  2. Laudemus Dominum.

    Let us praise the Lord.

    Laudemus is the present subjunctive of laudare.

  3. Venite, adoremus Dominum.

    Come, let us worship the Lord.

    From Adeste fideles. Adoremus is the subjunctive of adorare.

  4. Venio ut te adiuvem.

    I come so that I may help you.

    Ut with the subjunctive adiuvem gives a purpose.

  5. Utinam Marcus Iuliam adiuvet!

    If only Marcus would help Iulia!

    Utinam with the subjunctive is a wish.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the other conjugations' vowel.

    Venio ut te adiuvam.
    Venio ut te adiuvem.

    Adiuvare is a first conjugation verb, so the subjunctive changes a to e: adiuvem. The ending -am belongs to the other conjugations.

How It Connects

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Present Subjunctive: amemLevel 5

Learn This First

The present subjunctive swaps the vowel of the present tense, so a present tense and the idea of mood come first.

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Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

amo