A Latin Lesson on Prepositions Followed By ABLATIVE

Latin prepositional phrases work just like English ones do, except that the noun following the preposition, which is called the "object of the preposition," needs to have either the ablative or accusative case ending on it. This is a list of the most common prepositions followed by the Ablative: / ab cum d / ex sine pro prae from/away from (these are like our a/an) Use 'ab' in front of a vowel. with about/ from/ down from out / out of (use 'ex' in front of a vowel) without for/on behalf of before

& when used with a verb of rest: sub under in in/on

Almost All Other Prepositions Use the Accusative Ending!

In this lesson we are focusing on the use of the Ablative Case ending with prepositions, becaise these are very common little prepositions. But almost all other prepositions use the Accusative ending on their object! You simply have to memorize which case ending follows each preposition. In most textbooks they are listed this way: ad (prep +acc) through trans (+ acc) - across per (+acc) =

(In the Vocab list I have grouped them based on which case ending they
A Latin saying that uses prepositions followed by the Accusative:

Per ardua ad astra = Through hardships to the stars.

(Yes--ardua and astra are in the accusative. They are neuter, acc pl.)

call for.)

What is a prepositional phrase?

Just to be sure you understand what a prepositional phrase is in English: A preposition is a little word that shows how a noun relates to another part of the sentence. Heres an example: The student sees the paper [on the table]. In Latin: Discipulus videt chartam in mens . The little word on is showing the relationship of the paper to the table. If we said the paper is under the table, there would be a very different relationship. If we said the paper is beside the table that would be another relationship. These underlined words are all prepositions. In the phrase [on the table] the little word on is the preposition and the noun, table, is called the object of the preposition. The whole phrase [on the table] is called the prepositional phrase. Here is a prepositional phrase: in vi on road preposition preposition When a noun in Latin is being used as an object of one of the prepositions in the list above it uses the ablative case ending, which is the last or 5th ending in our boxes. The preposition, itself, never changes its form---there are no endings for prepositions. The endings on the 5th line are used for the object of certain prepositions. (See list on the previous page.) object of the

1st Declension Case Endings:

2nd Declension Case Endings:

a ae ae rum ae s Ablative ---> am s s

us rum um

s s s

1. Puer ex agr ambulat. ______________________________________________________ 2. Puer in agrs Romans videt.

________________________________________________ 3. Nauta d fortun cogitat. ____________________________________________________ 4. Creta in mens sedet. ________________________________________________________

(creta = chalk)

A Song for Memorizing the Ablative Pronouns

The following are the most common prepositions which always require the ablative ending on the nouns which are their objects: a /ab away from cum with de about / from e/ex out of sine without pro for/ in front of The little words ex and ab are sometimes spelled with just there first letter if it is in front of a word that begins with a consonant. Here are examples: ab oppido - away from town porta - out of the gate
(n.b. This preposition/\ is ex before vowels)

You have already learned some of these prepositions, but since almost all other prepositions are followed by the accusative ending, if we memorize these together, it will make it easier to keep straight which prepositions are followed by which ending. And heres a little song which will help us remember these. Chant to the tune Mary Had a Little Lamb: Ab, cum, de, ex, sine, pro sine, pro sine, pro. Ab, cum, de, ex, sine, pro,-and prae, take the ab la tive.

(and some times sub and in)

A Latin saying that uses prepositions + Ablative:

Otium sine litteris mors est. = Leisure without literature is death.

Littera, -ae which literally means letter came to mean(when pl.) literature or learning.

Key for practice sentences: 1. Puer ex agr ambulat. The boy walks out of the field. (or, from the farm/field) 2. Puer in agrs Romans videt. The boy sees the Romans in the fields. 3. Nauta d fortun cogitat. The sailor thinks about fortune. 4. Creta in mens sedet. The chalk is sitting on the table.