Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Complementary and Supplementary Infinitives
Complementary and Supplementary Infinitives
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Complementary Infinitives
A complementary infinitive is one that works in
conjunction with a modal verb (one that requires an
infinitive to create a complete thought).
Examples include:
possum "be able (to)", "can"
audeo "dare (to)"
soleo "is accustomed (to)"
Occasional Complements
Here are some verbs that sometimes pattern with
complementary infinitives (but sometimes do not
take complementary infinitives):
cupio "desire (to)"
debeo "ought (to)", "must"
volo "want (to)", "wish (to)"
Complementary Infinitives in a
Sentence
Here are some examples of complementary infinitives:
Furem fur cognoscere potest
"a thief is able to recognize a thief"