Time in Reported Statements
Use the present infinitive for the same time, the perfect for earlier and the future for later.
How It Works
The infinitive tells when the reported action happens compared with the main verb.
| Time | Infinitive | Latin | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| same time | present: cantare | Marcus dicit Iuliam cantare. | Marcus says that Iulia is singing. |
| earlier | perfect: cantavisse | Marcus dicit Iuliam cantavisse. | Marcus says that Iulia sang. |
| later | future: cantaturam esse | Marcus dicit Iuliam cantaturam esse. | Marcus says that Iulia will sing. |
The perfect infinitive is the perfect stem plus -isse: cantav-isse. The future infinitive is the future participle plus esse, and the participle agrees with the accusative subject: Iuliam cantaturam esse.
The same rules hold after a past verb. Iulia dixit Marcum venire means Iulia said that Marcus was coming, because the coming was going on at the time of the saying.
Examples (5)
- Marcus dicit Iuliam cantare.
Marcus says that Iulia is singing.
The present infinitive: the singing happens as he speaks.
- Marcus dicit Iuliam cantavisse.
Marcus says that Iulia sang.
The perfect infinitive: the singing came first.
- Marcus dicit Iuliam cantaturam esse.
Marcus says that Iulia will sing.
The future infinitive: cantaturam agrees with Iuliam.
- Iulia dixit Marcum venire.
Iulia said that Marcus was coming.
Venire is the same time as dixit, so it means was coming.
- Monachi credunt Dominum venturum esse.
The monks believe that the Lord will come.
Venturum esse is the future infinitive.
Common Mistakes
Using the perfect infinitive for was doing.
Iulia dixit Marcum venisse.Iulia dixit Marcum venire.Iulia dixit Marcum venisse is good Latin, but it means Iulia said that Marcus had come. To say Iulia said that Marcus was coming, use the present infinitive: venire.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Three infinitives show three times, and the last two are built from forms you already know.
- Reported Statements: Marcum venire
Know the accusative and infinitive, because the three infinitives fill it.
Level 4 - The Perfect Infinitive: amavisse
Know the perfect infinitive, because it shows an earlier time: venisse.
Level 4 - Future Participle: amaturusAbout to: Amaturus
Know the future participle, because the future infinitive uses it: venturum esse.
Level 4
Related Patterns
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice Time in Reported Statements in Bubblegum
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