In classical languages, conjugation means _joining together_ the numerous endings to the stem of the verb; but in English, inflections are so few that conjugation means merely the exhibition of the forms and the different verb phrases that express the relations of voice, mood, tense, etc.
237. Verbs in modern English have only four or five forms; for example, _walk_ has _walk_, _walks_, _walked_, _walking_, sometimes adding the old forms _walkest_, _walkedst_, _walketh_. Such verbs as _choose_ have five,--_choose_, _chooses_, _chose_, _choosing_, _chosen_ (old, _choosest_, _chooseth_, _chosest_).
The verb _be_ has more forms, since it is composed of several different roots,--_am_, _are_, _is_, _were_, _been_, etc.
PRESENT TENSE. | PAST TENSE. | _Singular_ _Plural_ | _Singular_ _Plural_ | 1. I am We are | 1. I was We were 2. You are You are | 2. You were You were (thou art) | (thou wast, wert) 3. [He] is [They] are | 3. [He] was [They were]
PRESENT TENSE. | PAST TENSE. | _Singular_ _Plural_ | _Singular_ _Plural_ | 1. I be We be | 1. I were We were 2. You (thou) be You be | 2. You were You were | (thou wert) 3. [He] be [They] be | 3. [He] were [They] were
PRESENT TENSE, _Singular and Plural_, Be.
239. This conjugation is pieced out with three different roots: (1) _am_, _is_; (2) _was_, _were_; (3) _be_.
Instead of the plural _are_, Old English had _beoth_ and _sind_ or _sindon_, same as the German _sind_. _Are_ is supposed to have come from the Norse language.
The old indicative third person plural _be_ is sometimes found in literature, though it is usually a dialect form; for example,--
Where _be_ the sentries who used to salute as the Royal chariots drove in and out?--THACKERAY
Where _be_ the gloomy shades, and desolate mountains?--WHITTIER
240. The forms of the verb _be_ have several uses:--
The light that never _was_ on sea and land.--WORDSWORTH.
(2) _As auxiliary verbs_, in four ways,--
(_a_) With verbal forms in _-ing_ (imperfect participle) to form the definite tenses.
Broadswords _are maddening_ in the rear,--Each broadsword bright _was brandishing_ like beam of light.--SCOTT.
(_b_) With the past participle in _-ed_, _-en_, etc., to form the passive voice.
By solemn vision and bright silver dream, His infancy _was nurtured_. --SHELLEY.