Explanation of the foregoing Table.

In order to understand the use of the annexed view of the terminations, it is necessary to observe, that all those letters which precede the termination of the infinitive, in all verbs, are called the root of the verb, and that these radical letters are invariably preserved in the conjugation of regular verbs through all their tenses and persons; as, am-ar, am-aron, am-arian; vend-er, vend-ian, vend-erán; sufr-ir, sufr-iéren, sufr-iésemos, &c.

Observation.

There are some regular verbs which require a change in their radical letters, in order that the final consonant of their root may retain, in all the tenses, the harsh or soft pronunciation which it has before the infinitive : this alteration cannot occur unless the root of the verb end in c, in g, in gu, and in qu, and the changes which then take place are as follow:

The first column points out how the root of the verb must end to require the alteration; the second, the letters substituted; the third, what letters must begin the termination to admit the change; and the fourth, the conjugations wherein these several deviations are found.

PASSIVE VOICE.

This voice is supplied by adding the past participle of the active verb to the auxiliary ser, through all its moods, tenses, and persons, making the said participle agree with the person in gender and number; as, ella es amada, she is beloved; serémos premiados, we shall be rewarded; las mugeres han sido alabadas, the women have been praised.

The passive voice, in English, is very frequently expressed in Spanish, by prefixing the pronoun se to the third persons of verbs, in their active voice; as, se oyó una voz, a voice was heard; se han mandado tropas, troops have been sent, &c. Great attention is requisite not to employ this method with such nouns as would render the verb reflective, in lieu of expressing its passive voice: for example; Pedro es amado, means Peter is beloved; but Pedro se ama, signifies Peter loves himself; but where no ambiguity can arise, either of the methods may be adopted; as, la virtud es amada, or se ama la virtud, virtue is beloved. If the agent be mentioned, the latter method can seldom be employed; therefore, Virtue is beloved by the good, should be rendered, La virtud es amado por los buenos.

ON IRREGULAR VERBS.

These verbs may be divided into three classes. First, Irregulars in the root: this class comprises verbs which in some tenses increase, diminish, or exchange, radical letters; as, ca-er, to fall; cayg-o, I fall; dec-ir, to say; d-irémos, we shall say; ped-ir, to ask; pid-o, I ask.

Secondly, Irregulars in the termination. To this class are referred all such verbs as have the letters of their termination either increased, diminished, or exchanged; as, d-ar, to give ; d-cy, I give, &c.

H

Thirdly, Irregulars in the root and termination. Under this class are comprehended all those verbs, which, in the course of their conjugation, are susceptible of any of the variations above mentioned, both in their radical letters and in those of the termination: as, tra-er, to bring; trax-o, he brought; sab-er, to know; s-é, I know; quer-er, to be willing; quer-ré, I shall be willing; quis-o, he was willing; quis-imos, we were willing.

N.B. In the following examples of the Irregular verbs, that part of the verb wherein the irregularity occurs, will be printed in italics; as, aciert-o, estoy, v-oy.

It is to be observed, that when any Irregular verb is used reflectively, it retains its irregularity. The letters i. p. being marked after any of the following verbs, denote that it has an irregular participle, which must be looked for in the List which is given after the Irregular Verbs.

Indicative Present crezc-o

crecerémos creceréis