a dynamic reader

Introductory Latin: volo, nolo, possum + infinitive

Exercise 23: volo, nolo, possum + infinitive

Some verbs are followed by the infinitive; esp. volo and nolo (Kennedy #139), possum (Kennedy #135b):

volo audire: I want to hear/am willing to hear.
nolo regere: I do not want to rule/am unwilling to rule.
possum ambulare: I am able to walk/can walk.

Main Parts:

volo velle volui, want/be willing
nolo nolle nolui, be unwilling
possum posse potui, be able

 

NB They are very irregular in the present tense:

I wantI do not wantI am able
1st person singularvolonolopossum
2nd person singularvisnon vispotes
3rd person singularvultnon vultpotest
1st person pluralvolumusnolumuspossumus
2nd person pluralvultisnon vultispotestis
3rd person pluralvoluntnoluntpossunt

 

Please attempt all questions.

1. 

Translate the following sentence: volam tres horas in urbe ambulare.

2. 

Translate the following sentence into Latin: You wanted to kill Caesar.

3. 

Translate the following sentence: nolumus dona domino dare.

4. 

Translate the following sentence into Latin: You don’t want to frighten the farmers.

5. 

Translate the following sentence: pueri nolebamus reginam adiuvare.

6. 

Translate the following sentence: Cicero noluit rogare Caesarem sententiam.

7. 

Translate the following sentence into Latin: We wanted to see the queen.

8. 

Translate the following sentence into Latin: Caesar was able to come.

9. 

Translate the following sentence: de Plauti fabula vult audire Cicero.

10. 

Translate the following sentence: possumus currere in silva.

11. 

Translate the following sentence: vultis pontem a militibus factum transire.

12. 

Translate the following sentence: volo ad urbem ire cum sapientibus.

13. 

Translate the following sentence: potest poeta multos versus scribere.

14. 

Translate the following sentence into Latin: They wanted to help the sad wives after they had killed the farmers.

15. 

Translate the following sentence into Latin: We can give Caesar a dog.

16. 

Translate the following sentence into Latin: We wanted to be able to see the queen.

17. 

Translate the following sentence: poterat multos libros legere.

18. 

Translate the following sentence: Cicero, vir magna sapientia, volebat poscere Caesarem sententiam.

19. 

Translate the following sentence into Latin: Cicero was able to come with his wife.

20. 

Translate the following sentence into Latin: Caesar wants to ask Cicero’s opinion.