Conjugate

/ˈkɑːndʒəɡeɪt/
verb

To give all forms of a verb for each subject.

In Spanish, we conjugate the verb 'to be' as 'soy', 'eres', 'es', etc.
Visual representation of "conjugate" - To give all forms of a verb for each subject.

Often appears as...

  • conjugate the verb
  • conjugate in past tense
verb

In biology, to unite or merge, especially in order to exchange genetic material.

Under stressful conditions, some protozoans can conjugate to exchange genetic material.
Visual representation of "conjugate" - In biology, to unite or merge, especially in order to exchange genetic material.

Often appears as...

  • conjugate in biology
  • conjugate in reproduction

Usage tips

Technical

verb

In mathematics, to pair or couple, often in complex conjugation.

The conjugate of the complex number 4 + 3i is 4 - 3i.
Visual representation of "conjugate" - In mathematics, to pair or couple, often in complex conjugation.

Often appears as...

  • complex conjugate
  • conjugate pair

Usage tips

Academic

adjective

In grammar or mathematics, paired or coupled in a specific way.

In the sentence 'I was going', 'was' is the conjugate verb.
Visual representation of "conjugate" - In grammar or mathematics, paired or coupled in a specific way.

Often appears as...

  • conjugate verb
  • conjugate pair
verb

To give all forms of a verb for each subject.

In Spanish, we conjugate the verb 'to be' as 'soy', 'eres', 'es', etc.
Visual representation of "conjugate" - To give all forms of a verb for each subject.

Often appears as...

  • conjugate the verb
  • conjugate in past tense
verb

In biology, to unite or merge, especially in order to exchange genetic material.

Under stressful conditions, some protozoans can conjugate to exchange genetic material.
Visual representation of "conjugate" - In biology, to unite or merge, especially in order to exchange genetic material.

Often appears as...

  • conjugate in biology
  • conjugate in reproduction

Usage tips

Technical

verb

In mathematics, to pair or couple, often in complex conjugation.

The conjugate of the complex number 4 + 3i is 4 - 3i.
Visual representation of "conjugate" - In mathematics, to pair or couple, often in complex conjugation.

Often appears as...

  • complex conjugate
  • conjugate pair

Usage tips

Academic

adjective

In grammar or mathematics, paired or coupled in a specific way.

In the sentence 'I was going', 'was' is the conjugate verb.
Visual representation of "conjugate" - In grammar or mathematics, paired or coupled in a specific way.

Often appears as...

  • conjugate verb
  • conjugate pair
Definition 1 of 4
Visual representation of "conjugate"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Subject Agreement

Ensure the verb form matches the subject in person and number when you conjugate.

Illustration for Subject Agreement
I go, you go, he goes - 'goes' only with he, she, it.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Regular vs Irregular

Some verbs are irregular and follow different rules, so watch for those when conjugating.

Illustration for Regular vs Irregular
'To be' conjugates irregularly: I am, you are, he is.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Tense Awareness

Conjugating changes with tenses; remember that present, past, and future tenses have different forms.

Illustration for Tense Awareness
I eat (present), I ate (past), I will eat (future).
LampPro Tip 1/3

Subject Agreement

Ensure the verb form matches the subject in person and number when you conjugate.

Illustration for Subject Agreement
I go, you go, he goes - 'goes' only with he, she, it.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Regular vs Irregular

Some verbs are irregular and follow different rules, so watch for those when conjugating.

Illustration for Regular vs Irregular
'To be' conjugates irregularly: I am, you are, he is.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Tense Awareness

Conjugating changes with tenses; remember that present, past, and future tenses have different forms.

Illustration for Tense Awareness
I eat (present), I ate (past), I will eat (future).
LampPro Tip 1/3

Subject Agreement

Ensure the verb form matches the subject in person and number when you conjugate.

Illustration for Subject Agreement
I go, you go, he goes - 'goes' only with he, she, it.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Regular vs Irregular

Some verbs are irregular and follow different rules, so watch for those when conjugating.

Illustration for Regular vs Irregular
'To be' conjugates irregularly: I am, you are, he is.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Tense Awareness

Conjugating changes with tenses; remember that present, past, and future tenses have different forms.

Illustration for Tense Awareness
I eat (present), I ate (past), I will eat (future).
Visual representation of the word "Conjugate"

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Quote examples

Ana Tijoux

French Musician

My kid is seven years old and is learning to read and conjugate, but I don't agree with that kind of education because I feel that the concepts are not contextualized... it's interesting to try to make my kid a reflective boy, rather than just a repetitive boy, even if he doesn't agree with me.
Portrait of Ana Tijoux

Quote examples

Ana Tijoux

French Musician

My kid is seven years old and is learning to read and conjugate, but I don't agree with that kind of education because I feel that the concepts are not contextualized... it's interesting to try to make my kid a reflective boy, rather than just a repetitive boy, even if he doesn't agree with me.
Portrait of Ana Tijoux
Example 1 of 1
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