Conjugating Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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conjugating

[kənˈdʒuːɡeɪtɪŋ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

grammar usage

Conjugating refers to the modification of a verb to express different grammatical categories such as tense, mood, voice, aspect, person, or number. This process varies significantly across different languages. In English, for example, 'to be' conjugates to 'am', 'is', 'are', depending on the subject and tense. Conjugation is essential for correctly forming sentences and conveying precise meanings.

Synonyms

declining, inflecting.

Examples of usage

  • I am running.
  • They were eating.
  • She has finished her homework.
  • We will go to the store.
  • You are studying French.

Translations

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

Origin of 'conjugating'

The term 'conjugate' originates from the Latin word 'coniugare', which means 'to join together'. It is derived from 'con-' meaning 'together' and 'iugare' meaning 'to join or yoke'. This reflects the concept of linking different forms of a verb based on grammatical rules. The usage of 'conjugating' in English primarily appeared around the 15th century, coinciding with the increased study of Latin grammar during the Renaissance. Since then, it has evolved to encompass a broader range of languages and their respective grammatical systems. The idea of conjugation is crucial not only for language learning and education but also for linguistic analysis and understanding the complexities of human communication.


Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #34,244 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.