On the Elements
Latin Grammar: Uses of the Infinitive
Iam est probatum in praecedentibus quod elementa ad generata corruptibilia sunt quattuor et non plura. Et, quando considerator cogitaverit, inveniet quod plantae et animalia, in terra generata, ex terra et aqua et aere nutriuntur, et completur eorum actualitas per caliditatem digerentem. Nam terra facit acquirere generato retentionem et observat observationem illius quod ex factione et figuratione acquisivit. Et aqua facit acquirere generato facilitatem recipiendi figurationem. Et retinetur substantia aquae, cum sit fluida, propter admixtionem terrae, et retinetur substantia terrae a comminutione propter commixtionem aquae. Et aer et ignis frangunt elementalitatem istorum duorum et faciunt eis acquirere aequalitatem mixtionis; et aer aperit et facit meatus et prors[???], et ignis digerit, decoquit et aggregat.
The infinitive form can be used:
- As a subject: "errare est humanum" (To err is human.)
- As an object: "bonum est amare" (It is good to love.)
- As the subject of impersonal verbs: "necesse est exire" (It is necessary to leave.)
- As a complement (completes the meaning of certain verbs, e.g.: audeo, possum, volo)
Lavinia vult nobiscum venire (Lavinia wishes to come with us.) - In an indirect statement, especially with verbs of knowing, saying, thinking, etc.:
Caesar dixit captivos curavisse (Caesar said that the captives were cared for.)
Identify the use of the infinitives in the following sentences. Write "subjective," "objective" "impersonal," "complementary," or "indirect statement" in the blank.