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THE PERIPHRASTIC CONJUGATIONS.

193.

A Periphrastic form, as the name indicates, is a ``roundabout way of speaking.'' In the widest sense, all verb-phrases consisting of participles and sum are Periphrastic Forms. The Present Participle is, however, rarely so used, and the Perfect Participle with sum is included in the regular conjugation (amátus sum, eram, etc.). Hence the term Periphrastic Conjugation is usually restricted to verb-phrases consisting of the Future Active Participle or the Gerundive with sum.



NOTE: The Future Passive Infinitive, as amátum írí, formed from the infinitive passive of , go, used impersonally with the supine in -um, may also be classed as a periphrastic form (§ 203. a).