The Supine After Movement

Level 4

A verb of motion can take a supine expressing its purpose.

How It Works

A verb of motion can take a supine expressing its purpose. Common supines lack the final -i of an infinitive, as in spat, delat and gledat; this construction differs from a modal plus infinitive.

Compare Moram spati with Grem spat. The modal requires an infinitive, while the motion-plus-purpose construction uses a supine. Not every shortened spoken infinitive is this standard supine construction; identify the preceding verb and intended purpose.

Examples (3)

  1. Grem spat.

    I am going to sleep.

  2. Šla je delat.

    She went to work.

  3. Prišli smo gledat tekmo.

    We came to watch the match.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

The Supine After MovementLevel 4

Learn This First

Distinguish motion followed by purpose from a modal followed by an infinitive.