MS: Lesson - The Latin Infinitive - Introduction

The Latin Infinitive - Introduction

An infinitive is a verb form that shows characteristics of being both a verb and a noun, thus we call it a verbal noun. In a way similar to participles, the infinitive does not have all five characteristics (person, number, tense, voice, mood) of a regular verb. Review the chart below for information on what characteristics apply to conventional infinitives:

Verbal Nouns

Type	Characteristics	Details
Verb	tense voice	present, perfect, future active, passive
Noun	case number gender	nominative, accusative singular neuter

Categories of Infinitives

Infinitives in Latin are used in two distinct scenarios:

1. Conventional Infinitive - this infinitive is used as a nominative or accusative case noun
2. Indirect Statement - this infinitive is used as the verb form in a special subordinate clause. This type of infinitive will be discussed at length in the next lesson of this module.

Conventional Infinitives - Usage and Formation

A conventional infinitive can be used as a noun in three ways:

1. As the subject of a linking verb. (linking verb connects a subject with a predicate noun or adjective)
2. As the direct object of a transitive verb. (transitive = takes a direct object)
3. As the complement of a special verb. (special = modal: verbs like can/be able or ought)

Since the way in which the 2nd and 3rd type are used is very similar, they are often referred to together as the complementary infinitive.

Examples of the Three Conventional Uses of Latin Infinitives

Categories	Subject	Complementary Infinitive
		Direct Object	Special Verb
Latin	Erat aequum Selenen ad Forum ire.	Selene ad forum ire noluit.	Selene ad forum ire non poterat.
English	It was right for Selene to go to the Forum. For Selene to go to the forum was right.	Selene did not want to go to the forum.	Selene could not go to the forum. Selene was not able to go to the forum.
Explanation	Focus Translation: to go was (erat...ire) ire is acting as the subject of erat. Selenen, being the subject of the infinitive, is placed in the accusative case. The adjective, aequum, is nominative neuter singular as it agrees with the subject infinitive.	Focus Translation: (not) want to go (ire noluit) ire is the direct object of the transitive verb noluit.	Focus Translation: could go/was able to go (ire...poterat) ire is the complement of the special verb poterat.

These examples focused on the form of the infinitive that is most familiar, the present active infinitive. However, infinitives are able to be formed in three tenses and both voices. Let's now explore the other forms of the Latin infinitive.