NCI Latin Explained Simply — Nominative with the Infinitive
The NCI (Nominativus cum Infinitivo) appears primarily in prose texts by Caesar, Cicero, and Livy—and is often confused with the ACI in the classroom. The difference, however, is clear: in the NCI, the subject is in the nominative case, not the accusative.
In this article, you’ll learn: what the NCI is and how it differs from the ACI, which verbs introduce the NCI, how to recognize and translate it—with examples from authentic reading texts. This article is part of Lapicida’s “Learning Latin” section—a structured learning method helps you firmly master the NCI and other constructions.
What is the Latin NCI?
The Latin NCI (Nominativus cum Infinitivo) is a Latin sentence construction in which the subject of the main clause is also the subject of an infinitive construction. The introducing verb is in the passive voice—usually a verb expressing saying, thinking, or believing. In German, the NCI corresponds to a sentence with “soll,” “wird,” or a “dass” clause.
| Construction | Subject | Introductory verb | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACI | Accusative | active (dicit, putat) | Caesar dicit milites vincere. |
| NCI | Nominative (= subject of the main clause) | passive (dicitur, putatur) | Caesar dicitur multa scripsisse. |
💡 Mnemonic: Passive verb of saying/thinking + infinitive without a new accusative subject = NCI.
💡 Mnemonic: Active → ACI. Passive → NCI. Caesar dicit milites vincere (ACI: accusative subject milites). If you put the introductory verb in the passive voice: Milites dicuntur vincere (NCI: nominative subject milites). The accusative becomes the nominative—that’s the magic of the NCI.
More blog posts on this topic:
Recognizing the NCI in Latin — in 4 Steps
Step 1: Look for a passive verb expressing saying or thinking
Typical verbs: dicitur (it is said), traditur (it is handed down), fertur (it is reported), putatur (it is believed), existimatur (it is judged), videtur (it seems).
Step 2: Check whether the subject of the main clause is in the nominative case
In NCI, there is no new accusative subject—the subject of the infinitive is identical to the subject of the main clause. Example: Caesar dicitur = “Caesar is said” = Caesar is the subject of both verbs.
Step 3: Check the infinitive (temporal relationship)
As with the ACI, the following applies: present infinitive = simultaneous, perfect infinitive = prior, future infinitive = subsequent. Caesar dicitur multa scripsisse: scripsisse = perfect infinitive → prior.
Step 4: Translate correctly
Option A: “[Nominative subject] is said to have [infinitive]” → Caesar dicitur multa scripsisse = Caesar is said to have written a great deal. Option B: Impersonal “It is said that Caesar has written a great deal.”
Understand Latin instead of cramming — try it right now.
NCI Latin Examples — Classic Sentences Analyzed
All of the following examples are taken from the corpus of classical prose (Caesar, Cicero, Livy).
| Latin | Introductory verb | Temporal relationship | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caesar dicitur multa scripsisse. | dicitur (passive) | prematurely | Caesar is said to have written a great deal. |
| Roma condita esse traditur. | traditur (passive) | previously (perfect infinitive) | It is said that Rome was founded. |
| Hannibal fertur Graecas litteras didicisse. | fertur (passive) | prematurely | Hannibal is said to have learned Greek writing. |
| Brutus videtur recto egisse. | videtur (passive) | at the same time | Brutus seems to have acted correctly. |
Analysis of Example 1: Caesar is said to have written many works.
Subject: Caesar (nominative) • Introductory verb: dicitur (passive of dicere) • Infinitive: scripsisse (perfect infinitive of scribere) • Temporal relationship: prior • Translation: “Caesar is said to have written a great deal” or “It is said that Caesar wrote a great deal.”
Analysis of Example 2: Roma condita esse traditur.
Here, the subject is Roma (nominative) • Infinitive: condita esse (perfect passive infinitive) • Special feature: The infinitive form is the perfect passive (condita esse) — condita agrees in gender with the subject Roma (feminine singular).
Which verbs introduce the NCI?
The NCI follows passive forms of certain verb groups. Unlike the ACI, the introductory verb is always in the passive voice.
| Verb group | Latin Forms | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Verba dicendi (to say) | dicitur, narrantur, nuntiatur | it is said, told, reported |
| Verba existimandi (thinking) | putatur, existimatur, creditur | it is believed, judged |
| Verbs of perception (perceiving) | videtur, cernitur | it seems, it is seen |
| Verbs of transmission (transmitting) | traditur, memoratur | it is handed down, it is mentioned |
| Verbs of assertion (to assert) | fertur, perhibetur | it is said, it is claimed |
| Verba iubendi (to command/to compel) | iubetur, vetatur, cogitur, prohibetur | it is commanded, forbidden, compelled, prohibited |
Note: All of these verbs are in the passive voice. The subject of the NCI and the subject of the main clause are identical. The group of command/compulsion verbs (iuberi, vetari, cogi) is particularly common in Caesar’s texts. You can find additional constructions such as the ACI, ablative absolute, and PPP in the Latin grammar overview.
Nominativus cum infinitivo on Wikipedia — Background information on the construction.
Common Mistakes with the NCI
- Confusing NCI with ACI: In the ACI, there is an accusative subject (e.g., milites). In the NCI, there is no new accusative subject—the nominative subject of the main clause takes on this function.
- Overlooking the passive introductory verb: dicit (active) → ACI; dicitur (passive) → NCI. The passive form is the most important indicator.
- Ignoring agreement with the passive infinitive: In the perfect passive infinitive, the PPP agrees with the nominative subject: Roma condita esse traditur — condita (feminine singular) agrees with Roma (feminine singular).
- Incorrect translation: Do not translate literally (Caesar is said to have written many things), but rather in a way that makes sense: “Caesar is said to have written many things” or “It is said that Caesar…”
💡 Mnemonic: In the perfect passive infinitive (condita esse), the passive participle (PPP) agrees with the nominative subject in case, number, and gender. Roma condita esse traditur: condita is feminine singular—it agrees with Roma (feminine singular). If Romani (masculine plural) is the subject, it must be conditi esse.
Practice Latin NCI — 4 practice sentences
Identify the following in each sentence: introductory verb, subject, infinitive tense, and translation.
Exercise 1: Romulus rex fuisse dicitur.
Solution: Introductory verb: dicitur (passive) • Subject: Romulus (nom.) • Infinitive: fuisse (perfect infinitive) • Temporal relationship: past • Translation: Romulus is said to have been king.
Exercise 2: Hannibal acerrimus hostis esse existimatur.
Solution: Introductory verb: existimatur (passive) • Subject: Hannibal (nom.) • Infinitive: esse (present infinitive) + predicate acerrimus hostis • Temporal relationship: simultaneously • Translation: Hannibal is considered the most ruthless enemy.
Exercise 3: Galli fortes milites fuisse traduntur.
Solution: Introductory verb: traduntur (passive pl.) • Subject: Galli (nom. pl.) • Infinitive: fuisse (perf. inf.) • Temporal relationship: in the past • Translation: The Gauls are said to have been brave soldiers.
Exercise 4: Cicero optimus orator esse fertur.
Solution: Introductory verb: fertur (passive) • Subject: Cicero (nom.) • Infinitive: esse (present infinitive) • Predicative: optimus orator • Translation: Cicero is said to have been the best orator.
Recognizing NCI — Practice with the Sentence Quiz
Understand Latin instead of cramming — try it right now.
Learning Latin — Overview · The Lapicida Learning Method — How It Works · ACI in Latin Explained Simply · PPP in Latin — Perfect Passive Participle · Ablativus absolutus — Recognizing and Translating · Participles in Latin — PPA, PPP, and PFA Explained · Identifying Latin Sentence Components · Form Trainer — Practice Latin Forms · Sentence Quiz — Analyze Latin Sentences
Frequently Asked Questions About the NCI Latin
What is the NCI in Latin?
The NCI (Nominativus cum Infinitivo) is a Latin construction in which the subject of the main clause is also the subject of an infinitive construction. The introductory verb is always in the passive voice (dicitur, traditur, fertur). In German, the NCI corresponds to a sentence with “soll” or a “dass” clause.
How do I recognize the NCI in Latin?
Three clues: 1. The introductory verb is in the passive voice (dicitur, putatur, fertur). 2. There is no new accusative subject—the nominative subject of the main clause is also the subject of the infinitive. 3. An infinitive follows (present, perfect, or future).
What is the difference between NCI and ACI?
In the ACI, the introductory verb is in the active voice and the subject of the infinitive is in the accusative (e.g., Caesar dicit milites vincere). In the NCI, the introductory verb is in the passive voice and the subject of the infinitive is in the nominative—it is identical to the main clause subject (e.g., Caesar dicitur multa scripsisse).
How do you translate the NCI?
Option A (personal): '[Nominative subject] is said to [infinitive]' — e.g., 'Caesar is said to have written a great deal'. Option B (impersonal): 'It is said that Caesar has written a great deal.' Which variant is more appropriate depends on the context.
Which verbs introduce the NCI?
Passive forms of verbs of saying (dicitur, narrantur), thinking (putatur, existimatur), perceiving (videtur), and transmitting (traditur, fertur, memoratur). The decisive feature is always the passive voice.
