Latin C1: Carthago delenda est: gerund & gerundive · Grammar

The gerund is a verbal noun: ars scribendi (the art of writing), legendo discimus (we learn by reading). The gerundive is an adjective meaning “to be done”: with esse it expresses necessity, and the person who must act goes in the dative: Carthago delenda est (Carthage must be destroyed); mihi laborandum est (I must work). With ad or causa it expresses purpose: ad urbem capiendam, pacis petendae causa.

• delenda — to be destroyed
• ars scribendi — the art of writing
• legendo — by reading
• causa — for the sake of
• agenda — things to be done
• memoranda — things to be remembered
• cupidus discendi — eager to learn
• mihi eundum est — I must go

• Ceterum censeo Carthaginem esse delendam. — Besides, I think Carthage must be destroyed.
• Legendo et scribendo discimus. — We learn by reading and writing.
• Nunc est bibendum. — Now is the time to drink.
• De gustibus non est disputandum. — There’s no accounting for taste.