By: Harrison Jamin

W HAT I S A P REPOSITIONAL P HRASE ? A prepositional phrase usually consists of a preposition and a noun(object). So, the basic formula is: Preposition + object. Example: In the house. However, a prepositional phrase can also contain a modifier(an adjective). So, this formula would be: preposition+modifier+object. Example: In the large, spacious house.

P REPOSITIONAL P HRASES : A BLATIVE C ASE The same rule used in English applies to Latin. (prep. + object) or (prep. + Modifier + object) An example of a prepositional phrase in the ablative case is: Ex arbore cadit (He falls out of the tree) Tip: Ex can be written as E if the next word begins with a consonant. Example: E ramis (out of the branches) Here is an example of an ablative prepositional phrase with a modifier. In magna villa sedet.

P REPOSITIONAL P HRASES : A CCUSATIVE C ASE The accusative case contains nouns that receive verbs(direct objects). An example of an accusative prepositional phrase is: In villam currit. Here is one with a modifier: In magnam villam currit.

H OW T O T ELL THE D IFFERENCE Accusative prepositional phrases will contain prepositions like “into” or “toward”. These all are actions that a noun receives. Ablative prepositional phrases will contain prepositions like “in”, “under”, or “out of”. The words in these phrases are usually adverbs and the noun does not directly receive them. Try to identify which phrases are ablative and which are accusative in the following example:

1. Ex arbore cadit. 2. In urbem venit. 3. In villam currit. 4. Princeps in urbe est. 5. Puer in piscinam cadit. 6. Ad ianuam dormit.

A NSWERS 1. ablative 2. accusative 3. accusative 4. ablative 5. accusative 6. accusative