Gerund And gerundive Flashcards
How to form the gerund
Nagda
N: infinitive
AGDA: present stem + nd + neuter endings of second declension
(-ie- appears before the -nd- for 3rd i-stems and 4th declension)
–only in singular
Deligere Deligendum Deligendi Deligendo Deligendo
Grammatical function of the gerund
Verbal noun
- may control an object
- may be modified by an adverb
- intransitive verbs that govern the dative will do so in the gerund case Also
Legendo legere discimus
We learn to read by (means of) reading
Ablative of means
Cupidus legendi est
He is desirous of reading
Objective genitive -with cupidus-
Duci libenter parendo fortiores fiemus
By obeying the leader willingly, We shall become stronger
Ablative of means; intransitive verb governing dative
The Gerundive is
Verbal adjective
It is the future passive participle
How is the gerundive formed
Present stem + nd + us/a/um
Deligendus -a -um
governing an object
Gerund can govern an object
But a gerundive is better
By reading books we learn to read
Gerund: libros legendo legere discimus
Better -> Gerundive: libris legendis legere discimus (by means of books to-be-read we learn to read)
He is desirous of reading books
Gerund: cupidus libros legendi est
Better -> gerundive: cupidus librorum legendorum est (he is desirous of books to-be-read)
How to express purpose with Gerund/Gerundive (“for the purpose of”)
Ad + accusative
Ad + accusative Gerund
Ad legendum venit
He comes to reading
He comes for the purpose of reading
He comes in order to read
He comes to read books
Gerund: ad legendum libros venit
Better (because gerund taking an object) -> gerundive: ad libros legendos venit (he comes for the purpose of reading books; he comes to books to-be-read)
How to express “for the sake of” (purpose)
Genitive gerund + causa
He comes for the sake of reading
Legendi causa venit (he comes to read)
He comes for the sake of reading books
Gerund: Libros legendi causa venit (he comes to read books)
Better -> Gerundive: librorum legendorum causa venit (he comes to read books; he comes the sake of books to-be-read
Gerundive not used when governing neuter adjectives or pronouns
Three ways of saying he comes to read books
Ad libros legendos venit
Librorum legendorum causa venit
Venit ut libros legat (he comes in order that he may read books)
Why is there an exception for Gerundive being preferred to Gerund when governing an object
He comes to see many things
Exception: neuter adjectives and pronouns
Confusion in gender
1) Multa videndi causa venit
2) multorum videendorum causa venit
2: he comes to see many things/men, it is unclear whether gender is masculine or neuter
When is the gerund needed
It is a verbal noun
Needed When the verbal noun (infinitive) is not functioning as the subject of a verb.
Accusative of the gerund
Usually follows the preposition ad (sometimes ob)
This expresses purpose
Genitive of the gerund
Depends on some abstract substantives (ars, occasio, facultas, potestas, studium, causa, initium, finis, signum, tempus) and on adjectives (peritus, cupidus, studiosus)
- these take a genitive
The art of writing is learnt
Ars scribendi discitur
Eager to go
Eundi studiosus
Dative of the gerund
Used with a few
verbs: (operam do, diem statuo, comitia indico)
Adjectives: (idoneus, aptus, accomodatus, necessarius, par)
Substantives implying help, use, fitness
Ablative of the gerund
Without preposition: instrument or cause
Or with In, ab, de, ex
Main reasons gerundive is used rather than gerund
To avoid direct object with
- the dative of the gerund
- the accusative of the gerund with a preposition
- the ablative of the gerund with a preposition
With genitive and simple ablative you can find both gerund and gerundive indifferently….but gerundive is preferred
Turn to gerundive
Libros legendo legere discimus (but this is fine)
Libris legendis legere discimus
Turn to gerundive
Cupidus libros legendi est (but this is fine)
Cupidus librorum legendorum est
Turn to gerundive
Spem vincendi hostem (but this is fine)
Spem vincendi hostis
Turn to gerundive
Venit AD pacem PETENDUM (not ok)
Veni ad pacem petendum
Turn to gerundive
Tempus ARANDO AGROS accomodatum (not ok)
Tempus AGRIS ARANDIS accomodatum
Turn to gerundive
Brutus IN LIBERANDO patriam est interfectus
Brutus in liberanda patria est interfectus
Even in the cases when the gerund shouldnt be used when is it still preferred
The object is a neuter pronoun or adjective
The gerundive construction involves genitive plurals
Turn to GERUND
consilium alicuius rei faciendi (not ok)
Consilium aliquid faciendi
Turn to GERUND
Amicorum videndorum causa venit (not ok)
Amicos videndi causa venit
