What is "gerundive"

Gerundive \Ge*run"dive\, a. [L. gerundivus.] Pertaining to, or partaking of, the nature of the gerund; gerundial. -- n. (Lat. Gram.) The future passive participle; as, amandus, i. e., to be loved.

early 15c., from Latin gerundivus (modus), from gerundium (see gerund).

n. 1 (context in Latin grammar English) a verbal adjective that describes obligation or necessity, equivalent in form to the future passive participle. 2 (context less commonly in English grammar English) a verbal adjective ending in ''-ing'' the Australian ''Macquarie Dictionary'' (revised 3rd ed), second sense of '''''Gerundive'''''

Gerundive is a term in Latin grammar for a verb form which functions as an adjective. Traditionally, the term has been applied to verbal adjectives and nouns in other languages.

In Classical Latin, the gerundive is distinct in form and function from the gerund and the present active participle. In Late Latin, the differences were largely lost, resulting in a form derived from the gerund or gerundive but functioning more like a participle. The adjectival gerundive form survives in the formation of progressive aspect forms in Italian, Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese. In French the adjectival gerundive and particle forms merged completely, and the term gérondif is used for adverbial use of -ant forms.

There is no true equivalent to the gerundive in English; the closest translation is a passive to-infinitive non-finite clause such as books to be read. That reflects the most common use of the Latin gerundive, to combine a transitive verb (such as read) and its object (such as books), usually with a sense of obligation.