Latin Nouns Part 1: Case Usage Latin II Grammar Review

Case Usage In English, the meaning of a sentence is determined by word order. In English, the meaning of a sentence is determined by word order. In Latin, meaning is determined by case ending. In Latin, meaning is determined by case ending.

Case Usage For Example: The boy killed the deer with a single arrow. The boy killed the deer with a single arrow. The word order of this sentence paints a clear picture. The word order of this sentence paints a clear picture.

What if the words in this sentence were rearranged? What if the words in this sentence were rearranged? With a single boy the deer killed the arrow. With a single boy the deer killed the arrow. Do these sentences convey the same meaning? Do these sentences convey the same meaning? Case Usage

Moral of the Story: Don’t read Latin the same way you read English. Don’t read Latin the same way you read English. Don’t use word order to translate a sentence, use case endings. Don’t use word order to translate a sentence, use case endings.

Case Usage The Cases: Nominative Nominative Genitive Genitive Dative Dative Accusative Accusative Ablative Ablative Vocative Vocative

Nominative Case Function: subject of the sentence Function: subject of the sentence Subject = the doer, or main idea of the sentence Subject = the doer, or main idea of the sentence Translation Words: a, an, the Translation Words: a, an, the

Genitive Case Function: shows possession/ownership. Function: shows possession/ownership. Translation Word: of Translation Word: of The book of the student The book of the student The student’s book The student’s book

Dative Case Function: indirect object of the sentence. Function: indirect object of the sentence. Indirect objects follow verbs of giving, showing, and telling Indirect objects follow verbs of giving, showing, and telling Translation Words: to/for Translation Words: to/for

Accusative Case Function: direct object of the sentence. Function: direct object of the sentence. Direct objects receive the action of the verb. Direct objects receive the action of the verb. The boy hit the ball. The boy hit the ball. “ball” received the “hitting” “ball” received the “hitting” Translation Words: a, an, the Translation Words: a, an, the

Ablative Case The Ablative Case has many uses, one of which is the object of prepositions. The Ablative Case has many uses, one of which is the object of prepositions. Translation Words: by/with Translation Words: by/with

Vocative Case Function: nouns in direct address. Function: nouns in direct address. Direct address is found in commands and questions Direct address is found in commands and questions Anne, close the door. Anne, close the door. John, where are you? John, where are you?