Summary of Comparison
The gerundive, or perfect passive participle, is a verbal adjective, which conveys a sense of necessity, obligation or propriety
- The gerundive may appear in any case, according to its corresponding noun
The gerund is a type of gerundive, appearing only the oblique (non-nominative) cases, used substantial as a verbal noun
- This use of the gerundive, always neuter singular, is comparable to the English gerund, which ends in -ing
For a more basic discussion of gerunds and gerundives, see the articles on ‘Gerunds’ and ‘Gerundives’ elsewhere in this blog
Gerunds and Gerundives with the Ablative
The ablative of gerunds and gerundives has three purposes: (1) as an ablative of manner, means, or cause, (2) after comparatives, (3) after certain prepositions
In each use, the gerund and gerundive have similar frequencies
These ablatives may take a direct object, but they do so rarely
Ablative of Manner, Means and Cause
- He persuades by large promises: multa pollicendō persuādet. (gerund)
- She is equal to any man in speaking Latin: Latīnē loquendō cuivīs pār est. (gerund)
- He revealed by reading these very things: hīs ipsīs legendīs ostendābat. (gerundive)
With Comparatives
- No duty is more important than repaying favors: nūllum officium referendā grātiā magis necessārium est. (gerundive)
- He enjoys reading more than writing: legendō magis quam scrībiendō fruitur. (legendō is abl. with fruor, describing manner) (gerund)
After Prepositions
- These prepositions are ab, dē, ex, in and prō
- I want to be employed in conducting affairs: in rē gerendā versārī volō (gerundive)
- She spoke of mourning: lugendō orābat. (gerund)
The Essential AG: §507
Famous Phrase: castigat rigendō mōrēs. (one corrects custom through laughter)
[neo-Latin phrase coined by the French poet Jean de Santeul]
Latin for Addicts 