Lesson 10: Prepositions

Prepositions which take the Accusative

The "object" function of nouns we have learned can be used in two ways:
  1. Direct object of a verb
  2. Object of a preposition
In the dictionary, some prepositions are listed as "prepositions which take the accusative", often abbreviated: "prep. with acc." (This is about 50% of all prepositions)

These prepositions take the object function, the same as we have already learned as the direct object of a verb (above).
Prepositions are unchangeable, and if using a "prep. with acc." the nouns (and any modifying adjectives) that follow take the object function.

adtowards, to; according to
adversustoward, against
antebefore, in front of
apudat, near, around, among, with; at house of, in works of
circa, circum, circiteraround, near
cis, citraon this side of, short of
clamunbeknown (unbeknownst)
contraagainst, opposite
ergatowards (*beware: not "ergo" = therefore)
extraoutside of
infrabelow (e.g. infrared)
interbetween, among
intrawithin
juxtabeside, next to, according to (*later meaning)
obin front of, because of (e.g. obvious - ob via = in your path)
penesin the possesion of
perthrough, over, by, with help of (*beware: not italian)
postbehind, after
praeterbeyond, outside of
propenear
propterbecause of (near)
secundumaccording to (*beware secundus -a -um = second)
suprabeyond
transover, beyond
ultrabeyond
usqueup to, continually
versustoward

Instructions Begin memorizing the list of Prepositions. Then do Homework 5


Why does your dictionary say "Accusative" for the "Object Function"? Latin has 7 different functions, and most latin textbooks have special names for each of them. These do not need to be learned but if you are curious:

NominativeSubject
AccusativeObject
GenitivePossesion (Of)
AblativeObject of Preposition (By, With, From, In)
DativeIndirect Object (To, For)
VocativeDirect Address
LocativePlace

Note: the last 2 are rare and only learned by the very advanced student. The 5 cases are usually listed in textbooks in this order: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative, Ablative.

"If you don't like this... Go home." - Fr. Foster

First Experience Latin - Fr. Reginald Foster

Answers to First Experience

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