Basic Sentence Practice 5 Flashcards
Our fifth sentence practice deck will help you learn about Latin infinitives, as well as a slew of new important verbs.
What is an infinitive?
An infinitive is an unconjugated verb, normally translated in English as “to verb.” There are usually six kinds of infinitives in Latin:
- Present Active (to verb)
- Present Passive (to be verbed)
- Perfect Active (to have verbed)
- Perfect Passive (to have been verbed)
- Future Active (to be about to verb)
- [rarely] Future Passive (to be about to be verbed)
What is the complementary infinitive?
The complementary infinitive is the use of an infinitive verb to complement the main verb of a sentence or phrase, e.g. “I want to ride a horse.”
The complementary infinitive is usually used with posse, velle, and nōlle.
Translate to Latin.
Amelia wants to see Marcus.
Amelia videre Marcum vult.
Reminder: With verbs like “want” or “can”, use the complementary infinitive to create a compound verb.
What is the subjective infinitive?
The subjective infinitive is the use of an infinitive verb as the subject of a sentence or phrase, e.g. “To err is human.”
The subjective infinitive can also be translated in English as “Erring is human.”
Translate to Latin.
It is necessary to work in the fields.
OR
Working in the fields is necessary.
Laborāre in agrīs necesse est.
it is necessary - necesse est (impersonal). Note that necesse est is “impersonal” – it is not conjugated normally, but always in the third person singular. This is similar to some English phrases, e.g. “It is raining,” “It’s not fair,” “It’s okay for you to do that.”
Translate to Latin.
It is permitted to praise the horse.
OR
Praising the horse is permitted.
Equum laudāre licet.
it is permitted - licet (impersonal).
What is the objective infinitive?
The objective infinitive is the use of an infinitive verb as the object of a sentence or phrase, e.g. “She doesn’t want to go.”
Translate to Latin.
Cornelia doesn’t want the farmer to go.
Cornēlia agricolam īre nōn vult.
Note that when the object of a sentence contains a verb, that verb should be an infinitive, and its subject (if it has one) should be in the Accusative case (the Nominative is only used for the subject of the main clause).
Translate to Latin.
The horse does not speak.
Equus nōn d__ī__cit.
to speak, say - dīcō, dīcere, dīxī, dictus. Remember that the -ere ending of the second principle part means this is a third conjugation verb.
How do you form an indirect statement in Latin, and what is its purpose?
The indirect statement is an objective infinitive clause.
It is used to convey something using an “above-the-neck” verb – talking, thinking, believing, etc.
In English, an indirect statement takes the underlined form: He says that she has a horse. In Latin, there is no need to translate “that” because the indirect statement carries the same meaning.
Translate to Latin.
Julia says (that) Marcus wants a new horse.
Iulia dīcit Marcum novum equum cupere.
to desire, want, wish - cupiō, cupere, cupīvī, cupitus. Note that this is a third conjugation verb, but also note the first principle part ending: -iō. Unlike other third conjugation verbs, when conjugated it has an extra -i- before the verb endings. This is called the “third (-io) conjugation.”
Also note that this sentence uses the indirect statement: The sentence only conveys what Julia said, but it informs the reader what Marcus wants nonetheless.
Translate to Latin.
Gaius thinks he is a horse.
Gaius equum esse putat.
to think - putō, putāre, putāvī, putātus.
Translate to Latin.
Augusta sets the horses free.
OR
Augusta frees the horses.
Augusta equōs expedit.
to set free - expediō, expedīre, expedīvī, expedītus. Note that because the second principle part ends in -īre, this is a fourth conjugation verb. Third (-io) and fourth conjugation verbs are conjugated very similarly (both have an -i- in the root).
Translate to Latin.
Cassius makes weapons.
Cassius arma facit.
to do, to make - faciō, facere, fēcī, factus. Note that this verb is used with many idiomatic expressions to mean various things, similarly to dāre.
Translate to Latin.
The horse is making noise.
Equus clāmōrem facit.
noise, shouting - clāmōr, clāmōris (maculine). Note that this noun follows the pattern of -ōr, -ōris, which is usually masculine.
Translate to Latin.
Octavia loves the sound of the songs.
Octavia clāmōrem carmenum amat.
song - carmen, carminis (neuter). Remember that this is a third declension noun. This one follows the pattern of -en, -inis, which is usually neuter.
What are the third declension i-stem endings for masculine and feminine?
Translate to Latin.
Crassus goes to the new city.
Crassus ad urbem novum it.
city - urbs, urbis, urbium (feminine). Note that this noun has three forms shown: the Nominative, and Genitive singular, and Genitive plural. Also note that the Genitive plural of some third declension nouns, like this one, have an additional -i- before some endings. This third declension noun follows the pattern -s, -is, (-ium).
What are the third declension i-stem endings for neuter?
