agitur

Agitur is the third-person singular present passive indicative form of the Latin verb agere, meaning to do, act, or drive. In Latin grammar, agere belongs to the third conjugation, and agitur literally means “it is driven” or “it is being done.” The form is used to describe actions performed on the subject or events in progress, often without naming the agent.

Usage and meaning: agitur expresses ongoing action or proceedings. It can convey a literal sense, as in something being done, or a more abstract sense, such as a matter or case moving forward. In legal, rhetorical, or administrative contexts, agitur frequently appears with nouns like res (matter) or causa (case). For example, res agitur can be translated as “the matter is being dealt with,” and causa agitatur can be rendered “the case is being argued.” The construction is common in both Classical and Late Latin, and it often functions in an impersonal or passive sense.

Morphology and syntax: agitur is the present passive form for 3rd person singular. The active counterpart is agit (he/she/it does). Latin speakers may use agitur in various settings to present actions without specifying who performs them, focusing instead on the action or process itself.

Related notes: agitur is one of many passive forms derived from agere. Understanding its use helps in interpreting sentences where the emphasis is on unfolding actions, not on the agent. While translations vary with context, common renderings include “it is being done” or “the matter proceeds.”

See also: agere, res, causa.