![]() How should we then translate epistula mihi scribenda est ? “The letter is to be written by me” or, more idiomatically, “I must write the letter”. Therefore, if vincendum means “it is to be won”, then laudandum means “it is to be praised” and mittendum ”it is to be sent”. ![]() However, its -ndum ending makes it passive. The word vincendum comes from the verb vinco-ere which means to win. “It is to be won by you”? What is this supposed to mean? Well, it just means: “you must win”. What does this sentence mean? “it is” (est) “to be won” (vincendum) “by you” (tibi). To convey the same message, classical authors such as Cicero would most likely say: tibi vincendum est. Such construction, however, is rather infrequent in Latin. The Latin sentence necesse est tibi vincere translates to “it is necessary for you to win”. Let’s soften the conversation and talk about the Gerundive. ![]() On the contrary, it employs a verbal form which paraphrases the imperative into a more subtle expression. Unlike modern languages, however, classical Latin makes relatively little use of these verbs. ![]() The verbs used in such cases carry a name which is quite eloquent: they are called “imperatives”. I was a strong willed boy and I never appreciated the aggressive tones: “Go there!” “Do this!” “Listen to me!” My memory of being a little boy in Italy is of being surrounded by bossy adults telling me what to do, how to do it, and what not to do. ![]()
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