Second Form Latin, Quiz 21 question

[amyco]

Hello!

In Second Form Latin, Quiz 21, #5b, we are asked to translate Venitne? (with a macron on the first 'e')

The answer given is 'Did hsi come?' We translated it in the present tense, 'Does hsi come?'

Can 'venit' be translated both as 'hsi comes' and 'hsi did come' --i.e. the forms look to be the same in 3rd person present and 3rd person perfect?

Is there something about the macron that makes it perfect tense? I can't find an explanation anywhere about that. Or are both answers correct?

We're stumped! Thank you for any help!

Amy

[clowe]

You are right the two forms are the same so either answer is correct.
However, we mark the perfect tense with the macron to distinguish it from the present tense. That is the classical convention and it shows up on the National Latin Exam. The explanation is in the teacher manual of the following Review Lesson, at least in the latest edition. If it is not in yours I will send it to you and I will move that explanation to Lesson XXI where it belongs. Thanks for catching that error.



Sorry about that. I will move that explanation.

[amyco]

Thank you! I found the information in the review lesson, like you said.