Gerunds and Gerundives
A Gerund chases some pronouns.
Verbal Nouns in Latin
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In Latin, there are two types of verbal nouns.
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Infinitives (“to verb”)
Gerunds (“verbing”)
We have already learned to form the
infinitive, which has its own box in a verbal
synopsis. Today, we will add the other verbal
noun, the gerund.
Gerunds
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A gerund is a verbal noun that is typically
translated as “verbing”.
Although it ends in “-ing”, it is not a participle
because it does not modify another noun.
Watch out for the running man!
Man, I really love running!
Gerunds
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Forming gerunds is a process almost identical to
forming the gerundive.
Remember, a gerundive was the future passive
participle that we learned a few weeks ago and
ended in ndus, nda, ndum.
Active
Passive
Present
amans, ntis
___________________
Past
(Perfect)
___________________
amatus, a, um
Future
amaturus, ura, urum
amandus, a, um
The Gerundive
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To form the Gerundive, simply take
the Present Stem from a verb and
add “ndus, a, um” onto it.
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cf. Amanda, Miranda and agenda
Again, as with the Present Active
Participle, verbs of the 3rd-io and 4th
conjugations add an ‘i’ to the stem
before the “ndus, a, um”
A good way to remember the ending is
from the word gerundive.
Gerunds
Steps to forming a Gerund
1.
Find the present active infinitive (the 2nd principle
part).
amō, amāre, amāvī, amātum
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2.
Take off the -re.
1.
3.
Add nd to the stem [remember -ie- for 3rd io and 4 C]
1.
4.
amā
ama + -nd
Add the 2nd declension neuter endings….
Gerunds
The Gerund of amō, amāre, amāvī, amātum
Nom.
amāre
to love
Gen.
amāndī
of loving
Dat.
amāndō
to/for
loving
Acc.
amāndum
loving
Abl.
amāndō
by loving
Gerunds
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Things to note about the formation of Gerunds:
1. There is no nominative
gerund. The form is
fulfilled by the present
active infinitive.
2. These are the only forms
of gerunds. They do not
have different masculine,
feminine or neuter forms;
they have no plurals too.
Nom.
amāre
to love
Gen.
amāndī
of loving
Dat.
amāndō
to/for
loving
Acc.
amāndum
loving
Abl.
amāndō
by loving
Practice
1.
genitive, singular, gerund of videō, vidēre

2.
accusative, singular, gerund of rogō, rogāre

3.
ducendō
dative, singular, gerund of capiō, capere

5.
rogāndum
ablative, singular, gerund of ducō, ducere

4.
vidēndī
capiendō
nominative, singular, gerund of audiō, audīre

audīre
Using Gerunds
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A gerund is used in the same fashion as a normal
noun.
Therefore, it can have any nominal syntax (objective
genitive, ablative of means, etc.)
Mihi est amor scrībendī.
There is for me a love of writing.
Using Gerunds for Purpose
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Two other constructions use gerunds to express
purpose as well.
The words causā and grātiā take the gerund in the
genitive to express purpose.
In this construction, the gerund is always placed
before causā and grātiā.
causā and grātiā are both translated as “for the
sake of”
Rōmam vēnī multa videndī causā.
I came to Rome for the sake of seeing many things.
Using Gerunds for Purpose
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In addition, ad can be used with a gerund in the
accusative to express purpose.
In this construction, the gerund is usually placed
after ad.
ad is translated as “for the purpose of”
Arma cēpit ad pugnandum.
He took up arms for the purpose of fighting.
Practice
1.
Quamquam mē ducis, magnus est timor errandī.
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2.
In prōvinciā manendō, Caesar incolās terrēbat.
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3.
A wise one wins many friends by giving.
Multa videndī grātiā per viās ībant.
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5.
By staying in the province, Caesar used to frighten the inhabitants.
Sapiens multōs amīcōs dandō capit.
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4.
Although you lead me, great is the fear of erring.
They used to go through the streets for the sake of seeing many
things.
Fās est īre in templum?

Is it allowed to go into the temple?
Gerundives
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We have already seen gerundives and have learned
that they should be translated as “ought to be
verbed”.
In addition, they too can be used with causā, grātiā,
and ad to express purpose.
However, the difference between this usage and the
use of a gerund is that the gerundive modifies
something and the gerund stands alone.
In Exempla
Rōmam vēnī multa videndī causā.
I came to Rome for the sake of seeing many things.
Rōmam vēnī multa matrem videndam causā.
I cam to Rome for the sake of seeing (my) mother.
Arma cēpit ad pugnandum.
He took up arms for the purpose of fighting.
Arma cēpit ad pugnandum hostem.
He took up arms for the purpose of fighting the enemy.
Practice
1.
Lēgātōs pācis petendae causā sociī mīsērunt.

2.
The allies sent envoys for the sake of seeking peace.
Rōmānīs erat studium bellōrum gerendōrum.

There was a desire for the Romans of waging wars.
Gerunds vs. Gerundives
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Therefore, the basic difference between gerunds
and gerundives is that . . . .
GERUNDIVES MODIFY SOMETHING
BUT GERUNDS STAND ALONE.
Homework?
• Homework 46 (Due Monday!)