In English, the infinitive is a verb preceeded by “to”: e.g., to run, to jump, to speak.
In Latin, the infinitive is the second principle part of the verb. Many Latin verbs take an infinitive to complete their meaning.
Possum amāre. I am able to love.
Volō dicere. I want to speak.
This use of the infinitive is called the complementary infinitive, because the infinitive completes the meaning of the main verb.
You have already seen the irregular verbs sum, esse (“to be”) and eō, īre (“to go”). Another common irregular verb is volō, velle which means “to want.”
|
|
Singular |
Plural |
|
1st person |
volō = I want |
volumus = we want |
|
2nd person |
vis = you want |
vultis = y’all want |
|
3rd person |
vult = he, she, it wants |
volunt = they want |
The next story will feature this verb.