An infinitive is the base form of a verb without a subject or tense. In Latin, infinitives end in "-re" and are listed second in a verb conjugation. Infinitives are used to complete the meaning of other verbs like "want", "prepare", and "be able" to express actions like climbing a tree, seeing a girl, or working.

1. Infinitives
p. 26

2. What is an infinitive?
● base form of the verb
● no person (1st, 2nd, 3rd) or number (singular,
plural)
● two words: to + verb
o to give
o to speak
o to try
o to hear

3. In Latin
● infinitives end in -re
● translate with the word “to”
● to find a verb’s infinitive, look it up in the
back of the book
o 2nd part listed is the infinitive
o audio, audire, audivi, auditus

4. Examples
● ambulare
● videre
● vexare
● ascendere
● dormire
● to walk
● to see
● to annoy
● to climb
● to sleep

5. How to use an infinitive
● complete the meaning of a verb
o Sextus arborem ascendere vult.
o Sextus wants to climb a tree.
● some of these verbs: (p 27)
o *volo: I want; vult: he/she wants
o *nolo: I don’t want
o *potest: he/she is able
o timet: he/she is afraid
o paras: you prepare; parat: he/she prepares

6. Examples
● servus puellam
videre potest.
● Marcus arborem
ascendere terret.
● ancillae laborare
parant.
● The slave is able to
see the girl.
● Marcus is afraid to
climb the tree.
● The slave women
prepare to work.