Breakdown of Cives decernunt pontem ante hiemem reficiendum esse.
esse
to be
ante
before
pons
the bridge
civis
the citizen
Questions & Answers about Cives decernunt pontem ante hiemem reficiendum esse.
What is the basic grammatical structure of Cives decernunt pontem ante hiemem reficiendum esse?
The main clause is:
- Cives decernunt = the citizens decide
Then Latin adds what they decide by using an indirect statement:
- pontem ... reficiendum esse = that the bridge must be repaired
So the whole sentence is:
- main statement: the citizens decide
- indirect statement: that the bridge must be repaired before winter
A very literal breakdown is:
- Cives = citizens
- decernunt = decide
- pontem = the bridge
- ante hiemem = before winter
- reficiendum esse = to be needing repair / to have to be repaired
Why is pontem accusative instead of nominative?