LAT 102: Elementary Latin Spring 2019

GERUNDS AND GERUNDIVES

I. The Gerund

A. The Gerund is a neuter singular noun (always active in meaning). The infinitive of the verb supplies the nominative case:

Legere est difficile = To read is difficult.

The other cases are formed by adding -nd- to the present stem of the verb (-iend- to 3io and 4th conjugation verbs), plus the neuter singular endings of the 2nd declension. There is no plural.

[Nom. legere to read] Gen. legendī of reading Dat. legendō to/for reading Acc. legendum reading (d.o.) Abl. legendō by (etc.) reading

Legendum amō. = I love reading.

B. Gerund as a simple noun: The Gerund functions like any other noun; but as a verbal noun it can also take an object or be modified by an adverb.

Cupidus legendī est. He is desirous of money. (obj. gen.)

Librōs legendō cognoscimus. We learn by reading books. (abl. of means)

Ducī piē pārendō*, fortiōrēs erunt. By obeying the leader loyally, they will become stronger. (abl. of means.)

*Note that verbs that take the dative case will continue to do so in the gerund form.

C. Gerund with ad to express purpose:

Ad legendum venit. He comes for the purpose of reading (to read).

*Where a direct object is used, Latin prefers this construction with the gerundive (see below).

D. Gerund with causā or gratiā to express purpose: The genitive of the gerund followed by causā or gratiā (in the ablative) shows purpose:

Legendī causā venit. He comes for the sake of reading (to read).

*Where a direct object is used, Latin prefers this construction with the gerundive (see below). LAT 102: Elementary Latin Spring 2019

II. The Gerundive

A. The Gerundive is a verbal adjective (always passive in meaning). It is never a substantive, but must agree with a noun in gender, number, and case. It is formed by adding -ndus, -a, -um to the present stem of the verb (-iendus, -a, -um to 3io and 4th conjugation verbs). It declines like a 2-1-2 adjective and is identical in form to the Future Passive Participle.*

*Our textbook differentiates between the Future Passive Participle and the Gerundive. Others do not.

There is no gerundive in English, so it is translated as a gerund.

B. The Gerundive with Direct Object: The Gerundive is preferred over the gerund where there is a direct object in the accusative case.

Librīs legendīs cognoscimus. We learn by means of books to be read. à We learn by reading books.

Cupidus librōrum legendōrum est. He is desirous of books to be read. à He is desirous of reading books.

C. Gerundive with ad + acc. and gen. + causā or gratiā to express purpose: The Gerundive (like the Gerund) may be used with ad + acc. or gen. + causa to express purpose. This is the regular construction where a Direct Object is involved.

Librōrum legendōrum causā venit. He comes for the sake of books to be read. à He comes to read books.

The Gerundive is preferred when there is a direct object EXCEPT when the direct object is a neuter adjective or pronoun to avoid ambiguity:

Multa videndī causā venit. He comes for the sake of seeing (gerund) many things.

Multōrum videndōrum causā venit. He comes for the sake of seeing many men/people/things.

PRACTICE SENTENCES:

1. Rōmam īvimus ad Caesarem videndum.

2. Rōmam īvimus Caesaris videndī causā.

3. Amor legendī est bonus.

4. Amor legendōrum librōrum est bonus.

LAT 102: Elementary Latin Spring 2019

5. Nostrī pugnābant ad hostēs vincendōs.

6. Petendō multa inveniēs.

7. Veniam puellae videndae causā.

8. Venit ad dicendum.

9. Hīs verbīs dicendīs nōs omnēs līberāvit.

10. Rōmam proficīscar imperātōris interficiendī gratiā.