Future Active Infinitive

Definition

The future active infinitive is a grammatical form used to express an action that will occur in the future, indicating the intention of performing a verb in its active voice. In Latin, this form is often constructed by combining the present active infinitive of the verb with the future active participle, which reflects a sense of anticipation regarding the action. It is important for expressing plans or actions that are expected to take place after another action.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The future active infinitive in Latin is formed by taking the present active infinitive and adding '-urus' to it, representing the future aspect.
2. This form is less commonly used compared to other infinitives but is essential for conveying future actions in context.
3. In sentences with other verbs, the future active infinitive can often be used with verbs like 'esse' (to be) to indicate what someone will do.
4. It usually appears in indirect statements where the action described happens later than the main verb.
5. Recognizing and correctly forming the future active infinitive is crucial for mastering complex sentence structures in Latin.

Review Questions

• How does the future active infinitive differ from other infinitive forms in Latin?
  • The future active infinitive differs from other forms by specifically indicating an action that will occur in the future, rather than a present or past action. While present and perfect infinitives focus on ongoing or completed actions, the future active infinitive highlights intentions or plans that are anticipated. This distinction is vital when constructing sentences that convey time relationships between different actions.
• In what scenarios would you use a future active infinitive instead of a simple present infinitive?
  • You would use a future active infinitive instead of a simple present infinitive when you want to emphasize that an action is intended to happen at a later time. For example, if you are stating what someone plans to do after another action has occurred, using the future active infinitive clarifies this sequence. This can often be seen in indirect statements where future intentions are reported based on a current perspective.
• Evaluate the importance of understanding the future active infinitive in constructing complex sentences in Latin.
  • Understanding the future active infinitive is crucial for constructing complex sentences because it allows you to express nuanced ideas about time and intention. By grasping how to use this form effectively, you can articulate sequences of events and anticipate actions with greater precision. This skill not only enhances your ability to interpret Latin texts accurately but also empowers you to create sophisticated sentences that reflect more advanced grammatical structures.

Related terms

Active Voice:

A grammatical voice where the subject of the sentence performs the action of the verb.

Infinitive:

The basic form of a verb, without any conjugation, typically expressing the notion of 'to do' something.

Participles:

Verb forms that function as adjectives, often used in combination with auxiliary verbs to indicate tense.