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In Latin grammar, a gerundive (/ dʒ ə ˈ r ʌ n d ɪ v /) is a verb form that functions as a verbal adjective. In Classical Latin , the gerundive has the same form as the gerund , but is distinct from the present active participle .
The gerundive of the verb (an adjectival form ending in -ndus) can be combined with the verb sum 'I am' to make a passive periphrastic tense. This usually expresses what is needing to be done: ego nec rogandus sum nec hortandus (Pliny) [1] 'I don't need to be asked or encouraged' (i.e. I will do it willingly) hī tumōres incīdendī sunt [2]
Non-finite verb forms in some other languages include converbs, gerundives and supines. The categories of mood, tense, and or voice may be absent from non-finite verb forms in some languages. [2] Because English lacks most inflectional morphology, the finite and the non-finite forms of a verb may appear the same in a given context.
Latin is a heavily inflected language with largely free word order. Nouns are inflected for number and case; pronouns and adjectives (including participles) are inflected for number, case, and gender; and verbs are inflected for person, number, tense, aspect, voice, and mood.
Latin word order is relatively free. The verb may be found at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end of a sentence; an adjective may precede or follow its noun (vir bonus or bonus vir both mean 'a good man'); [5] and a genitive may precede or follow its noun ('the enemies' camp' can be both hostium castra and castra hostium; the latter is more common). [6]
This is not a normal use for a Latin gerund. Moreover, the clause may function within a sentence as subject or object, which is impossible for a Latin gerund. Playing on computers is fun. (-ing clause as subject) I like playing on computers (-ing clause as object) The contrast with the Latin gerund is also clear when the clause consists of a ...
The gerundive periphrasis (aka periphrastic conjugation of the passive [3]) is composed of the sum auxiliary and a gerundive such as dūcendus. The auxiliary varies according to the speech role and number of the subject. ego : ā Caesare : dūcendus eram = I : needed to be led : by Caesar
An example of a verbal noun in English is 'sacking' as in the sentence "The sacking of the city was an epochal event" (wherein sacking is a gerund form of the verb sack). A verbal noun, as a type of nonfinite verb form, is a term that some grammarians still use when referring to gerunds, gerundives, supines, and nominal forms of infinitives.