licet, oportet, necesse est (Allowed, Proper, Needed)
It Is Allowed, It Is Right
Use a dative after licet and an accusative after oportet, then the infinitive.
How It Works
| Expression | The person | Example |
|---|---|---|
| licet (it is allowed) | dative | Mihi licet ire. |
| oportet (it is right) | accusative | Te venire oportet. |
| necesse est (it is necessary) | dative or accusative | Mihi necesse est ire. |
These verbs have no person as their subject. The infinitive is the subject: in Mihi licet ire, going is what is allowed, and I am the one it is allowed to.
English turns the person into the subject: I am allowed to go, you ought to come. Latin keeps the person in the dative or the accusative.
The negative is non licet (it is not allowed).
Examples (5)
- Mihi licet ire.
I am allowed to go.
Mihi is the dative and ire is the infinitive.
- Te venire oportet.
You ought to come.
Te is the accusative and venire is the infinitive.
- Pueris non licet in horto ludere.
The boys are not allowed to play in the garden.
Pueris is the dative plural.
- Necesse est omnibus mori.
All must die.
Omnibus is the dative: it is necessary for all.
- Oportet semper orare et non deficere.
It is right always to pray and not to lose heart.
From Luke 18:1. Oportet is followed by two infinitives.
Common Mistakes
Using a nominative with oportet.
Tu oportet venire.Te oportet venire.Oportet has no personal subject. The person who ought to come is in the accusative: te.
How It Connects
Learn This First
These verbs take an infinitive and a dative.
Related Patterns
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice licet, oportet, necesse est (Allowed, Proper, Needed) in Bubblegum
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