[*] 460. In a few cases the Infinitive retains its original meaning of Purpose. [*] a. The infinitive is used in isolated passages instead of a subjunctive clause after habeō , dō, ministrō :—
- tantum habeō pollicērī (Fam. 1.5A. 3), so much I have to promise. [Here the more formal construction would be quod pollicear .]
- “ut Iovī bibere ministrāret ” (Tusc. 1.65) , to serve Jove with wine (to drink).
- merīdiē bibere datō; (Cato R. R. 89), give (to) drink at noonday.
- “id quod parātī sunt facere ” (Quint. 8) , that which they are ready to do.
- “adsuēfactī superārī ” (B. G. 6.24) , used to being conquered.
- currū succēdere suētī; (Aen. 3.541), used to being harnessed to the chariot
- cōpiās bellāre cōnsuētās (B. Afr. 73), forces accustomed to fighting.
[*] Note.--In prose these words more commonly take the Gerund or Gerundive construction (§ 503 ff.) either in the genitive, the dative, or the accusative with ad :—
- “īnsuētus nāvigandī ” (B. G. 5.6) , unused to making voyages.
- “ alendīs līberīs suēti ” (Tac. Ann. 14.27) , accustomed to supporting children.
- “corpora īnsuēta ad onera portanda ” (B. C. 1.78) , bodies unused to carry burdens.
- “fīlius intrō iit vidēre quid agat ” (Ter. Hec. 345) , your son has gone in to see what he is doing. [In prose: the supine vīsum .]
- “nōn ferrō Libycōs populāre Penātīs vēnimus ” (Aen. 1.527) , we have not come to lay waste with the sword the Libyan homes.
- lōrīcam dōnat habēre virō; (id. 5.262), he gives the hero a breastplate to wear. [In prose: habendam .]
[*] Note.--So rarely in prose writers of the classic period.
For the Infinitive used instead of a Substantive Clause of Purpose, see § 457. For tempus est abīre , see § 504. N. 2. Peculiar Infinitives