As Verbs,—­

  a) They may be limited by adverbs;
  b) They admit an object;
  c) They have the properties of voice and tense.

As Nouns or Adjectives,—­

  a) They are declined;
  b) They take Noun or Adjective constructions.

THE INFINITIVE.

Infinitive without Subject Accusative.

326.  This is used chiefly as Subject or Object but also as Predicate or Appositive.

NOTE.—­The Infinitive was originally a Dative, and traces of this are still to be seen in the poetical use of the Infinitive to express purpose; as, nec dulces occurrent oscula nati praeripere, and no sweet children will run to snatch kisses.

A.  As Subject.

327. 1.  The Infinitive without Subject Accusative is used as the Subject of esse and various impersonal verbs, particularly opus est, necesse est, oportet, juvat, delectat, placet, libet, licet, praestat, decet, pudet, interest, etc.; as,—­

    dulce et decorum est pro patria mori, it is sweet and noble to die for
    one’s country;

    virorum est fortium toleranter dolorem pati, it is the part of brave
    men to endure pain with patience;

    senatui placuit legatos mittere, the Senate decided (lit. it pleased
    the Senate) to send envoys.

2.  Even though the Infinitive itself appears without Subject, it may take a Predicate Noun or Adjective in the Accusative; as,—­

    aliud est iracundum esse, aliud iratum, it is one thing to be
    irascible, another to be angry;

    impune quaelibet facere, id est regem esse, to do whatever you please
    with impunity, that is to be a king.

a.  But when licet is followed by a Dative of the person, a Predicate Noun or Adjective with esse is attracted into the same case; as, licuit esse otioso Themistocli, lit. it was permitted to Themistocles to be at leisure.  So sometimes with other Impersonals.

B.  As Object.

328. 1.  The Infinitive without Subject Accusative is used as the Object of many verbs, to denote another action of the same subject, particularly after—­

volo, cupio, malo, nolo, debeo, cogito, meditor, purpose, ought; intend; statuo, constituo, decide; neglego, neglect; audeo, dare; vereor, timeo, fear; studeo, contendo, strive; maturo, festino, propero, contendo, paro, prepare (so paratus); hasten; incipio, coepi, instituo, assuesco, consuesco, accustom begin_; myself_ (so assuetus, insuetus, pergo, continue; assuefactus); desino, desisto, cease; disco, learn; possum, can; scio, know how; conor, try; soleo, am wont;

as,—­