Verbs That Report

Level 4

Any verb of saying, thinking, knowing or perceiving can start an accusative and infinitive.

How It Works

IdeaVerbs
sayingdico (say), nego (say that not)
thinkingputo (think), credo (believe)
knowingscio (know), intellego (understand)
perceivingaudio (hear), video (see), sentio (feel)
hopingspero (hope)

All of them take an accusative and an infinitive. Nego means say that not, and Latin likes it better than dico with non: Negat Marcum venire means He says that Marcus is not coming.

Spero looks forward, so it usually takes the future infinitive: Spero te venturum esse.

A noun or adjective that describes the subject stays in the accusative: Puto Marcum esse bonum, not bonus.

Examples (5)

  1. Spero te mox venturum esse.

    I hope that you will come soon.

    Spero takes the future infinitive.

  2. Audio Marcum cantare.

    I hear that Marcus is singing.

    Audio starts a report about what is heard.

  3. Video pueros in horto currere.

    I see that the boys are running in the garden.

    Video starts a report about what is seen.

  4. Negat se venire.

    He says that he is not coming.

    Negat means says that not, and se is the speaker.

  5. Vos autem quem me esse dicitis?

    But who do you say that I am?

    From Matthew 16:15. Me is the accusative subject and quem is the accusative predicate of esse.

Common Mistakes

  • Putting the describing word in the nominative.

    Puto Marcum esse bonus.
    Puto Marcum esse bonum.

    Bonum describes Marcum, which is accusative, so it must be accusative too.

How It Connects

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Verbs That ReportLevel 4

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These verbs introduce a reported statement.

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Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

dicoputocredosciosperoaudiovideonego