Download 23 – Infinitives

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Infinitives
An infinitive is a verbal noun in the neuter singular. It has tense (present, perfect, or future)
and voice (active or passive). As a noun, an infinitive can be the subject or object of a sentence.
Formation
Present Active = 2nd Principal Part (-āre, -ēre, -ere, -īre)
Translation = “to __________”
Vocāre = “to call”
Present Passive = 2PP – e + ī (-ārī, -ērī, -īrī)
Exception: 3rd conj. And 3rd -iō = 2PP – ere + ī
Translation = “to be __________”
Vocārī = “to be called”
Capī = “to be seized”
Perfect Active = Perfect Stem + isse
Translation = “to have __________”
Vocāvisse = “to have called”
Perfect Passive = 4th Principal Part + esse (two words)
Translation = “to have been __________”
Vocātus esse = “to have been called”
Future Active = 4PP – us/a/um + ūrus/ūra/ūrum + esse (two words: fut. act. part. & esse)
Translation = “to be about to __________” or “to be going to __________”
Vocātūrus esse = “to be about to call”
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Usage of the Infinitive
Subjective Infinitive – The infinitive may be used as the subject of a verb. It is neuter
and singular.
Errāre est humānum.
To err is human.
Dulce et decōrum est
prō patriā morī.
It is sweet and proper to die for
one’s country.
Objective Infinitive – The infinitive may be used as the direct object of a verb.
Catō esse quam vidērī
bonus mālēbat.
Cato preferred being good to seeming
good.
Complementary Infinitive – Several verbs complete their meaning via an infinitive.
Audeō
Cessō
Coepī
Cōnor
Contendō
Decet
Dēbeō
Incipiō
Licet
Mālō
Nōlō
Possum
Soleō
Valeō
Videor
Volō
Dare (to)
Pause/hesitate (to)
Began (to)
Try (to)
Hurry (to)
It is fitting (to)
Ought (to)
Begin (to)
It is permitted (to)
Prefer (to)
Not want (to)
Be able (to)
Be accustomed (to)
Be strong enough (to)
Seem (to)
Want (to)
Audīre possum.
I can (am able to) hear.
Indirect Discourse – (see Ind. Disc. handout)
Historical Infinitive – Sometimes present infinitives may replace regular verb forms.
Usually these infinitives take on past tense meanings.
Verrēs lacrimās vix tenēre.
Verres hardly held back his tears.
Purpose – An infinitive is NEVER used in Latin to express purpose.