So what

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So whats the deal with SUM and POSSUM?
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SUM is the irregular verb that means I am. Its
infinitive is ESSE which means to be.
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In English, the linking verb to be is also
irregular I am You are He is We are You (all)
are They are
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In Latin, the forms are Sum Es Est Sumus Estis Su
nt
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In English, we change these to past tense as I
was You were He was We were You (all) were They
were
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In Latin, the base for the the imperfect tense
becomes era Eram Eras Erat Eramus Eratis Erant
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Compare sum-eram es-eras est-erat sumus-eramus es
tis-eratis sunt-erant
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So, what about POSSUM?
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POSSUM is actually a contraction of the
adjective potens (powerful, capable, able) with
the forms of Esse
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Latin takes the pot from potens and combines
it with the forms of sum. However, whenever the
letters pot bump up against a form that begins
with s, the t from pot changes into an s
so you end up with double s.
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For example Pot sum possum Pot es
potes Pot est potest Pot sumus
possumus Pot estis potestis Pot sunt
possunt (I am able, You are able, Etc.)
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For the imperfect of possum, the pot combines
with the forms of eram. Poteram Poteras Poterat
Poteramus Poteratis Poterant I was able, etc.