Complementary and Supplementary Infinitives
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Complementary Infinitives
A complementary infinitive is one that works in
conjunction with a modal verb (one that requires an
infinitive to create a complete thought).
Examples include:
possum "be able (to)", "can"
audeo "dare (to)"
soleo "is accustomed (to)"
Occasional Complements
Here are some verbs that sometimes pattern with
complementary infinitives (but sometimes do not
take complementary infinitives):
cupio "desire (to)"
debeo "ought (to)", "must"
volo "want (to)", "wish (to)"
Complementary Infinitives in a
Sentence
Here are some examples of complementary infinitives:
Furem fur cognoscere potest
"a thief is able to recognize a thief"
Canis cenam edere vult
"the dog wants to eat his dinner".
Subjective Infinitives
serve as the subject of another verb.
You have seen this most frequently with the phrase
necesse est,
necesse is a neuter singular adjective.
You have also seen the subjective infinitive with licet
and in a variety of other expression with forms of sum
and neuter singular adjectives:
Examples
Necesse est Cornëliö ad Cüriam ïre.
It is necessary for Cornelius to go to the Senate House.
Perïculösum est prope arënam sedëre.
It is dangerous to sit near the track.
OR: Sitting near the track is dangerous.
Erräre est hümänum.
To err is human.
Objective Infinitive
An objective infinitive serves as the direct object
of another verb.
You have seen this use with the verbs iubëre and vetäre.
Such infinitives always have an expressed accusative
subject, which may be some other noun or pronoun
Or, if they reflect the subject of themain verb, a reflexive
pronoun:
Examples
Caupö servös adiuväre iubet.
The innkeeper orders his servants to help.
Cornëlius puerös exïre vetuit.
Cornelius forbade the boys to go out.