Chapter IV: lupus      Back to Chapter 4 contents

The Infinitive; the irregular verb volō, velle

The infinitive

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.

The irregular verb volō, velle

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.