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Conjugate Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿ” 
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conjugate

[หˆkษ’ndส’สŠษกeษชt ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

grammar

To inflect (a verb) in its forms for distinctions such as number, person, tense, voice, mood, or aspect.

Synonyms

decline, inflect, morph.

Examples of usage

  • Students are required to conjugate verbs correctly in their assignments.
  • The teacher asked the students to conjugate the verb 'to be' in the present tense.
  • In Spanish, regular verbs are conjugated according to their endings.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Linguistics

  • Different languages have unique conjugation rules; Spanish uses different endings for each person (yo, tรบ, รฉl).
  • In English, verbs change mainly with 's' for third person singular and 'ed' for past tense.
  • Conjugation can indicate a verb's mood, such as indicative, imperative, and subjunctive.

Education

  • Teaching conjugation is essential in language courses, as it helps learners communicate more accurately.
  • Games and interactive software often incorporate conjugation exercises to make learning fun.
  • Understanding conjugation supports vocabulary expansion and fluency in a new language.

Pop Culture

  • The TV show 'Friends' features a character, Ross, who often misuses verbs, highlighting the importance of conjugation.
  • Songs in multiple languages rely on correct verb conjugation to convey feelings and stories effectively.
  • In the popular game 'Scrabble', conjugating verbs can help players score more points.

Psychology

  • Cognitive scientists study how verb conjugation affects language processing and memory.
  • Mistakes in conjugation can lead to miscommunication, which studies show can create social misunderstandings.
  • Research indicates that mastering verb conjugation can significantly increase overall language proficiency and confidence.

Origin of 'conjugate'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'conjugare', meaning 'to join together'.
  • In Latin, 'junctus' means 'joined', which reflects its function in grammar.
  • The prefix 'con-' translates to 'together', indicating the combined nature of verb forms.

The word 'conjugate' originated from the Latin word 'conjugare', meaning 'to join together'. In English, it first appeared in the 15th century with the specific grammatical sense of inflecting verbs. Over time, it has become a common term in the study of grammar and language.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #12,298, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.