Understanding Impersonal Verbs in Latin
Explore the concept of impersonal verbs in Latin, how they are translated, and when to use them. Discover examples and nuances of impersonal verbs, along with tips on translating them from literal to natural expressions.
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IMPERSONAL VERBS MarshLatinIII.wordpress.com
What is an impersonal verb? There is a category of verbs in Latin that are often translated in English as impersonal, i.e. as not having a subject (translated with "it"). While these are often translated as impersonals, they often do have a subject in Latin, either unexpressed or something other than a noun.
When do we use impersonal verbs? THE WEATHER WITH AN INFINITIVE TO EXPRESS EMOTION WITH DATIVE OF REFERENCE
THE WEATHER Words describing the weather that have "caelum" as an unexpressed subject: EXAMPLES: pluit, "it rains" ningit, "it snows" tonat, "it thunders"
WITH AN INFINITIVE Words where an infinitive (a verbal noun/ infinitive) is used as the subject: EXAMPLES: necesse est, "it is necessary" fas est, "it is right decorum est, it is appropriate
TO EXPRESS EMOTION Some of these express emotion and work with an adverbial accusative that is similar in translation to a direct object (or a subject). The genitive is also used to express what the action is in reference to. EXAMPLES oportet, "it behoves" ("I ought") iuvat, "it delights" ("I like to") taedet, "it wearies" ("I am tired of")
WITH DATIVES OF REFERENCE Some of these express emotion and work with an dative of reference that is similar in translation to a direct object (or a subject). EXAMPLES: licet: "it is allowed" ("I may") placet: "it pleases" ("I decide")
LITERAL VS NATURAL Often impersonal verbs can be translated literally and they make sense in English, but they can be a little awkward or wordy, so they can be translated more naturally as well. Fas est iuvare parvos infantes LIT: it is right to help little babies NAT: you should help little babies
Impersonal Verbs The following verbs are always, or usually, Impersonal: decet, it is fitting libet, it is pleasing licet, it is permitted placet, it pleases taedet, it disgusts oportet, it is necessary
Translating Impersonal Verbs More natural translations would be: Decet mihi: I ought Oportet mihi: I must Libet mihi: I like Placet mihi: I like Licet: I am allowed Taedet mihi: I am tired of
Selective Impersonals Many verbs are used impersonally only in certain senses EXAMPLES INCLUDE: placet, it pleases, is decided, accidit. it happens.
Passive/Intransitive Verbs The Passive of intransitive verbs can be used only impersonally EXAMPLES INCLUDE: itur, there is a going/someone goes, curritur, there is a running/someone runs.
