Gerundive
WiktionaryText
Noun
- a verbal adjective that describes obligation or necessity, equivalent in form to the future passive participle.
- a verbal adjective ending in -ing
Usage notes
English grammar does not have an exact equivalent to the Latin gerundive. English verbal adjectives ending in -ing are similar, but the Latin gerundive implies a sense of necessity that is lacking from the English construct. For example, the word “agenda” (i.e. “those things that ought to be done,” not just “things to be done”) conveys the sense of necessity from the Latin gerundive.