Year 4C · Grade 8: Gerund and Gerundive
Use the gerund as a verbal noun, and let the gerundive agree with a real noun.
What to notice
- gerund
- gerundive
- purpose with ad
Explanation
The gerund is a verbal noun. It is neuter singular and active in feeling: the art of writing, the desire of seeing. Ars scribendi uses the genitive gerund. Cupidus videndi means desirous of seeing. Ad pugnandum means for the purpose of fighting. English often uses an -ing word.
The gerundive is a verbal adjective, so it agrees with a noun in case, number, and gender. Ad urbem videndam means in order to see the city: videndam is feminine accusative because urbem is feminine accusative. If a form agrees with a noun, call it a gerundive. If it stands alone as the name of an action, call it a gerund.
Examples
- ars scribendi — the art of writing Scribendi is a genitive gerund.
- cupidus videndi — desirous of seeing Cupidus takes the genitive.
- ad pugnandum — for fighting Ad plus the accusative gerund can show purpose.
- ad urbem videndam — in order to see the city Videndam agrees with urbem.
Latin in this lesson
- ars scribendi — a gerund
- cupidus videndi — desirous of seeing
- ad pugnandum — a gerund of purpose
- ad urbem videndam — a gerundive agreeing with urbem
- gerund — it does not agree with a noun
- videndam — it agrees with the city