Latin for Beginners

by Benjamin L. D'Ooge

[ LESSON LXXIX]

REVIEW OF THE GERUND AND GERUNDIVE, THE INFINITIVE, AND THE SUBJUNCTIVE

[455.] The gerund is a verbal noun and is used only in the genitive, dative, accusative, and ablative singular. The constructions of these cases are in general the same as those of other nouns ([§§ 402]; [406.1]).

[456.] The gerundive is a verbal adjective and must be used instead of gerund + object, excepting in the genitive and in the ablative without a preposition. Even in these instances the gerundive construction is more usual ([§ 406.2]).

[457.] The infinitive is used:

I. As in English.

a. As subject or predicate nominative ([§ 216]).

b. To complete the predicate with verbs of incomplete predication (complementary infinitive) ([§ 215]).

c. As object with subject accusative after verbs of wishing, commanding, forbidding, and the like ([§ 213]).

II. In the principal sentence of an indirect statement after verbs of saying and mental action. The subject is in the accusative ([§§ 416], [418], [419]).