The Ablative Case of LatinThe Ablative Case of Latin

Forms and UsesForms and UsesBy Sarah GoshertBy Sarah Goshert

ContentsContents The Ablative CaseThe Ablative Case Endings of the Ablative CaseEndings of the Ablative Case Ablative of Means/InstrumentAblative of Means/Instrument Ablative of MannerAblative of Manner Ablative of AccompanimentAblative of Accompaniment Ablative of SpecificationAblative of Specification Ablative of AgentAblative of Agent Ablative AbsoluteAblative Absolute Other Uses of the AblativeOther Uses of the Ablative Endings PracticeEndings Practice Practice SentencesPractice Sentences Identify the AblativeIdentify the Ablative Benchmark Met by PowerPointBenchmark Met by PowerPoint Sources for ExamplesSources for Examples

The Ablative CaseThe Ablative Case

The Ablative Case is often called the “junk The Ablative Case is often called the “junk case” in Latin because it has so many uses.case” in Latin because it has so many uses.

It is often used to show the means by which It is often used to show the means by which something is done, the manner by which something is done, the manner by which something is done, in respect to how something is done, in respect to how something is done, agency, and in a few something is done, agency, and in a few other ways.other ways.

To Ablative EndingsTo Ablative Endings ContentsContents

Endings of the Ablative CaseEndings of the Ablative CaseThe Ablative Case has different endings for The Ablative Case has different endings for

nouns based on what declension the word nouns based on what declension the word is from. The number, meaning singular or is from. The number, meaning singular or plural, also determines the ending.plural, also determines the ending.

First Declension: puella(girl)->singular: First Declension: puella(girl)->singular: puellpuellāā; plural: puell; plural: puellīsīs

Second Declension: somnus(sleep)->sing.: Second Declension: somnus(sleep)->sing.: somnsomnōō; plural: somn; plural: somnīsīs

Third Declension: rēx(king)->sing.:rēgThird Declension: rēx(king)->sing.:rēgee; ; plural: rēgplural: rēgibusibus

Endings PracticeEndings Practice Abl. Of MeansAbl. Of Means ContentsContents

The Ablative of The Ablative of Means/InstrumentMeans/Instrument

The Ablatives of Means/Instrument is used to The Ablatives of Means/Instrument is used to show the thing by or with which the action show the thing by or with which the action of the verb is done.of the verb is done.

It is often translated using the words “with” It is often translated using the words “with” and “by”. The phrase “by means of” also and “by”. The phrase “by means of” also helps in translation.helps in translation.

Example: oculExample: oculīs videō. -> I see īs videō. -> I see with my with my eyes/by means of my eyes.eyes/by means of my eyes.

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Abl. Of MannerAbl. Of Manner

Ablative of MannerAblative of Manner

The Ablative of Manner shows the way, or The Ablative of Manner shows the way, or manner, in which the action of the verb is manner, in which the action of the verb is completed.completed.

It is preceeded in the sentence by the It is preceeded in the sentence by the preposition “cum”, meaning “with”.preposition “cum”, meaning “with”.

Example: cum cūrā labōrat. -> She works Example: cum cūrā labōrat. -> She works with care.with care.

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Ablative of AccompanimentAblative of Accompaniment

The Ablative of Accompaniment is used to The Ablative of Accompaniment is used to show the people with whom something is show the people with whom something is done.done.

It is also used with the preposition “cum” in It is also used with the preposition “cum” in a sentence.a sentence.

Example: cum amExample: cum amīcīs ambulābat. -> He was īcīs ambulābat. -> He was walking walking with his friends.with his friends.

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Abl. Of SpecificationAbl. Of Specification

Ablative of SpecificationAblative of SpecificationThe Ablative of Specification is also called the The Ablative of Specification is also called the

Ablative of Respect. It is used without a Ablative of Respect. It is used without a preposition in the sentence. It shows in preposition in the sentence. It shows in what respect something is being done.what respect something is being done.

It is often used with the adjectives dIt is often used with the adjectives dīgnus and īgnus and indīgnus, which mean “worthy” and indīgnus, which mean “worthy” and “unworthy” respectively.“unworthy” respectively.

Example: dux nōmine erat. -> He was Example: dux nōmine erat. -> He was commander commander in name/in respect to name.in name/in respect to name.

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Ablative of AgentAblative of Agent

The Ablative of Agent is used when there is a The Ablative of Agent is used when there is a passive verb in the sentence and it shows passive verb in the sentence and it shows the person that is doing the action. It is the person that is doing the action. It is used with the prepositions used with the prepositions ā and ab ā and ab followed by an animate object.followed by an animate object.

Example: puer bonus ā patre laudātur. -> The Example: puer bonus ā patre laudātur. -> The good boy is praised good boy is praised by the (his) father.by the (his) father.

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Ablative AbsoluteAblative Absolute

The Ablative Absolute will have no The Ablative Absolute will have no preposition and it is grammatically preposition and it is grammatically unattached to the rest of the sentence. unattached to the rest of the sentence.

It is similar to a subordinate clause in the It is similar to a subordinate clause in the sense that it explains the cause or sense that it explains the cause or condition of the action of the main clause.condition of the action of the main clause.

Example: hExample: hīs verbīs dictīs, cōnsul discessīt. -īs verbīs dictīs, cōnsul discessīt. -> After these words were said, the consul > After these words were said, the consul departed.departed.

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Other Uses:CauseOther Uses:Cause

Other Uses of the AblativeOther Uses of the AblativeThe Ablative Case can also be used to show The Ablative Case can also be used to show

expressions of place, expressions of place, causecause and and timetime..Ablative Expression of Place:Ablative Expression of Place: It can be used to show It can be used to show

the place where or from which the action is taking the place where or from which the action is taking place. It uses the prepositions “in” and “pro” place. It uses the prepositions “in” and “pro” commonly to show the place where the action is commonly to show the place where the action is taking place. It uses the prepositions “taking place. It uses the prepositions “ā” and “ē” ā” and “ē” to show the place from which the action is taking to show the place from which the action is taking place. place.

Examples: in agrō-> in the field; ā turbā->away Examples: in agrō-> in the field; ā turbā->away from the crowdfrom the crowd

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Other Uses Cont.Other Uses Cont.

Ablative Expression of Cause: The ablative Ablative Expression of Cause: The ablative case can show an expression of cause with case can show an expression of cause with or without a preposition. If it does take a or without a preposition. If it does take a preposition to show an expression of preposition to show an expression of cause, the prepositions “ex” and “dcause, the prepositions “ex” and “dē” are ē” are commonly used.commonly used.

Examples: cūrīs-> with worry; ex vulnere-> Examples: cūrīs-> with worry; ex vulnere-> from a wound/because of a woundfrom a wound/because of a wound

Click to go back to Click to go back to PlacePlace or forward to or forward to TimeTime

ContentsContents

Other Uses Cont.Other Uses Cont.

Ablative Expressions of Time: The ablative is Ablative Expressions of Time: The ablative is used in expressions of time without a used in expressions of time without a preposition. It can show time when or time preposition. It can show time when or time within which a verb’s action is taking within which a verb’s action is taking place.place.

Examples: prExamples: prīmā lūce->at first light; tribus īmā lūce->at first light; tribus annīs->within three yearsannīs->within three years

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Endings PracticeEndings PracticeTransform these nouns into the indicated Transform these nouns into the indicated

Latin form of the Ablative.Latin form of the Ablative.

agricola-> singularagricola-> singularfides-> pluralfides-> pluralaura-> pluralaura-> plural

Quintus-> singularQuintus-> singularRoma-> singularRoma-> singular

rex-> singularrex-> singularcibus-> pluralcibus-> pluralpuer-> pluralpuer-> pluralars->pluralars->plural

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Answers to Endings PracticeAnswers to Endings Practice

agricola-> singular: agricolagricola-> singular: agricolāāfides-> plural: fidibusfides-> plural: fidibusaura-> plural: auraura-> plural: aurīsīs

Quintus-> singular: QuintQuintus-> singular: QuintōōRoma-> singular: RomRoma-> singular: Romāā

rex-> singular: regerex-> singular: regecibus-> plural: cibcibus-> plural: cibīsīspuer-> plural: puerpuer-> plural: puerōōars->plural: artibusars->plural: artibus

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Practice TimePractice Time

dux dux cum cum mmīlitibusīlitibus sedēbant.sedēbant.

What kind of Ablative is this?What kind of Ablative is this?

puer puer gladiō et verbīs gladiō et verbīs pugnat.pugnat.

What kind of Ablatives are these?What kind of Ablatives are these?

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Quintus Quintus cum cum multemulte doloredolore scribit.scribit.

Why is this form of the Ablative used here?Why is this form of the Ablative used here?

DeDeō volenteō volente, bonam fortunam habebimus., bonam fortunam habebimus.

What construction of the Ablative is used here?What construction of the Ablative is used here?

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Identify the AblativesIdentify the AblativesIdentify the Ablatives in this story. Tell what kind of Identify the Ablatives in this story. Tell what kind of

Ablative is used.Ablative is used.

Quintus Quintus in in cubiculcubiculōō dormit. dormit. prīmā prīmā lūcelūce stertit. stertit. Quintus cibum Quintus cibum manibusmanibus consumit. consumit. ex ex casācasā ambulat. Cerberus ambulat. Cerberus cum cum eōeō ambulat. ambulat. in in forōforō adveniunt. Cerberus latrat. Cerberus adveniunt. Cerberus latrat. Cerberus ā ā puerōpuerō objurgatur. canis objurgatur. canis indīgnā laude indīgnā laude erat. erat. hīs verbīs hīs verbīs dictīsdictīs, redent., redent.

Click the Ablative construction to go to the Click the Ablative construction to go to the explanation page for that construction.explanation page for that construction.

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““For languages that are no longer spoken (i.e. Latin), For languages that are no longer spoken (i.e. Latin), students are required to demonstrate proficiency at students are required to demonstrate proficiency at the Novice High level in writing (productive skill) the Novice High level in writing (productive skill) and in reading (interpretive skill).”and in reading (interpretive skill).”

Novice Proficiency Level: Comprehension and Novice Proficiency Level: Comprehension and Accuracy:Accuracy:

““A student can identify the text type, topic and some A student can identify the text type, topic and some significant details of an authentic presentational or significant details of an authentic presentational or interpersonal oral, written or signed text.”interpersonal oral, written or signed text.”

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Sources for ExamplesSources for Examples

Some examples used for the educational purposes of this Some examples used for the educational purposes of this PowerPoint presentation were taken from Susan C. PowerPoint presentation were taken from Susan C. Shelmerdine’s Shelmerdine’s Introduction to LatinIntroduction to Latin textbook, which was textbook, which was used in Dr. Anderson’s LAT 101 and 102 classes at Grand used in Dr. Anderson’s LAT 101 and 102 classes at Grand Valley State University.Valley State University.

Other examples were written by the author of this PowerPoint, Other examples were written by the author of this PowerPoint, Sarah Goshert. The story used in the “Identify the Sarah Goshert. The story used in the “Identify the Ablatives” exercise was also written by the author.Ablatives” exercise was also written by the author.

All images and sounds are courtesy of Microsoft PowerPoint All images and sounds are courtesy of Microsoft PowerPoint and clipart.and clipart.

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