Basic Details
Word: Conjugation
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: The set of different forms that a verb can take; also a group of verbs that change in the same way.
Synonyms: inflection
Sounds like: conjunction (a joining word such as and, but or because)
How to Spell Conjugation
Syllables: con - ju - ga - tion
Tricky part: It is conjugate without its final e, plus ion: j, then g, then a single t. Do not mix it up with conjunction, which has an n and a c.
Watch out for: congugation, conjugaition, conjugasion
Memory tip: Drop the e of conjugate and add ion, the way educate gives education.
Usage Examples
Example 1: The conjugation of 'to have' is have, has, had and having.
Example 2: Our French book has a table showing the conjugation of every common verb.
Example 3: We practised verb conjugation with flash cards.
Fun Fact
Latin grammar books traditionally sort verbs into four conjugations, and students of Latin often learn amo, amas, amat (I love, you love, he loves) as their first verb.
Practise the CREST Way
Spell-o-Spell
Only one word in the list is spelt correctly. Choose the meaning of that word.
1. conjunktion 2. conjugation 3. punctuasion 4. preposission
a) a word such as in, on or under that shows position
b) a joining word such as and, but or because
c) marks such as commas and full stops
d) the set of different forms a verb can take
Show answer
d) the set of different forms a verb can take. Conjugation is spelt correctly; punctuation, preposition and conjunction are the right forms of the others.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the word in the sentence and choose it:
Learning the ugtacinojon of irregular verbs takes a lot of practice.
a) conjuration
b) conjunction
c) congregation
d) conjugation
Show answer
d) conjugation. Conjunction needs a second c and has no g, congregation needs r and e, and conjuration has an r; conjugation fits.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
conjugaition
a) t
b) a
c) o
d) i
Show answer
d) i. After the ga comes tion straight away; there is no extra i.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A conjugation table for the verb walk would include ____.
a) walker, walkway, sidewalk
b) walk, walks, walked, walking
c) slowly, quickly, gently
d) run, jog, stroll
Show answer
b) walk, walks, walked, walking
2. In which lesson are you most likely to study conjugation?
a) a drawing lesson
b) a language lesson
c) a swimming lesson
d) a music lesson
Show answer
b) a language lesson
