In each of the sentences below, part or all of the sentence is underlined. From among the choices, select the best translation for the underlined word or words.
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Iter mīlitibus faciendum est.
The journey was made by the soldiers.
The journey is being made by the soldiers.
The soldiers must make a journey.
The soldiers have made a journey.
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The verb of the sentence is the passive periphrastic faciendum est (must be made), indicating obligatory action. The verb’s subject is the nominative singular noun Iter (journey), and the verb’s agent is expressed by the dative noun mīlitibus (soldiers). The sentence may therefore be translated into English by the passive construction “A journey must be made by the soldiers,” or equivalently by the active construction in choice (C), “The soldiers must make a journey.” Choices (A) and (D) mistranslate the passive periphrastic verb faciendum est as referring to completed action (was made, have made) rather than obligatory action. Choice (B) mistranslates the verb as referring to ongoing action (is being made) rather than obligatory action.