CLT: Lesson - Gerund Uses - Expressing Purpose
Gerund Uses - Expressing Purpose
Gerunds are used in the same manner as gerundives, but most often when the phrase does not require a direct object. The gerund generally expresses purpose in the genitive, dative, accusative, and ablative cases. Let's look at some examples of how we use it in each of the various cases.
Expressions of Purpose using Gerunds
Let's explore examples in each case.
| Case | Explanation | Latin Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Genitive | The genitive gerund is used with causa or gratia which means for the sake of. The genitive form of the gerund always goes before causa or gratia. | Caesar ad Galliam pugnandi causa profectus est. |
Translation 1: Caesar traveled to Gaul for the sake of fighting. Translation 2: Caesar traveled to Gaul to fight. |
| Dative | The dative case is used as the indirect object or with certain adjectives expressing utility, like utilis. |
Indirect Object: Caesar multum tempus exercendo dedicavimus. Adjective: Caesar putat milites esse utiles pugndando. |
Indirect Object: Caesar devoted a lot of time to training. Adjective: Caesar thinks that the soldiers are useful for fighting. |
| Accusative | The gerund is used with the preposition ad. | Caesar ad Galliam ad pugnandum profectus est. | Caesar traveled to Gaul to fight. |
| Ablative | The ablative gerund is used as an ablative of means, which means there will be no preposition. | Caesar pugnando Galliam conficere paravit. | Caesar planned to completely subdue Gaul by (means of) fighting. |
Additional Notes - Reminder on Objects
Gerunds very rarely take a direct object because Latin authors preferred to use a gerundive. The noun with which the gerundive agrees is treated as the object of the action. Compare these two English sentences:
- I left my house to walk around. (Latin would use a gerund, as there is no direct object for "walk around").
- Domum meum ad circumambulandum reliqui.
- Caesar went to Gaul to defeat the enemy. (Latin would use a gerundive, since defeat takes a direct object).
- Caesar ad Galliam ad hostes vicendos profectus est.