Day Twenty Eight: Bases

The Key to Conjugating Your Verbs 

As promised here is a little more information on the verb ‘bases’. This is by no means a comprehensive listing of the things the bases can do, particularly Base Te. However, this should give you a little better of an idea about how to begin conjugating verbs as you continue creating your own sentences.

Base 1: Exclamative. Often, you will hear someone say a Base 1 verb in a sharp and/or abrupt way, typically seen in conjunction with negative forms of a verb. 

Base 2: When changed into this base, the verb itself can become a noun. Used in countless forms of conjugation and connection. Often seen in compound verbs. 

Base 3: Plain form. This base is the positive present tense of all verbs, also known as dictionary form. All verbs ‘start out’ in this form, so if you’re looking up a verb in a dictionary make sure to search its plain form. 

Base 4: Command form. This is a very easily confused base. People either think it is more intense than it really is or less intense than it actually is. For the most part, Base 4 is used in giving short and curt commands. This form can be quite rude and should be used carefully – never use it with people you aren’t on familiar terms with… unless you’re purposefully intending to demean or anger the other person. Also used in conjunction with conditional aux verbs such as [Base 4 + ba] and possibility aux verbs such as [Base 4 + ru]. 

Base 5: Expresses ‘let’s [verb]’. Literally, this is the way to say let’s ____! 

Base Te: This base has a couple of functions:

 1.) Connecting sentences or clauses; used often to link a clause to another clause in which a reason for the previous clause is given.

 2.) Base Te can also link verbs and adjectives exhaustively like と can do for nouns. 

3.) Base Te is used in conjunction with iru to express ‘ing‘; a verb that is currently [verb]ing, or a current state, continual process presently occurring, or current condition. 

Base Ta: Indicates past tense. Also used with conditional verbs such as [Base Ta + ra].