esse - to be
This is an irregular
verb, both in English and in Latin, as it does not follow the usual patterns of conjugation.
| Latin |
Means in English |
| sum |
I am |
| es |
you are (singular) |
| est |
he/she/it is |
| sumus |
we are |
| estis |
you are (plural) |
| sunt |
they are |
esse does not have an object. Words associated with it are in the nominative case. Don’t try to put them into the accusative.
| vir sum |
I am a man |
|
|
| dominus est |
He is the lord |
|
|
| testamentum est |
It is the will |
|
|
| Isabella et Maria sumus |
We are Isabella and Mary |
|
|
| agricole sumus |
We are the farmers |
} |
nominative plural as there is more than one |
| vidue sunt |
They are the widows |
Isabella regina est. |
Isabella is the queen |
Both Isabella and regina must be in the nominative
domine regine sunt |
The ladies are queens |
Maria et Isabella regine sunt |
Mary and Isabella are queens. |
In this example, Maria and Isabella are nominative singular, as there is one of each woman. regine is nominative plural as there are two queens.
 |
Latin document points: medieval names |
 Men’s names often include the phrase ‘son of’:
Henricus filius Willelmi Henry son of William.
Willelmus filius Henrici William son of Henry.
cartas Willelmo filio Stephani do I give charters to William son of Stephen.
Willelmo and filio are both in the dative case because the charters are given to him.
Stephani stays in the genitive, because William is the son of Stephen.
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Lesson 1
Word list 
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