Experience III, Lesson 28: Ablative Absolute continued

More principles of the Ablative Absolute

• Why is it called "absolute"?
  The 'subject' of the ablative absolute is not the subject, object or indirect object (dative: to/for) of the main sentence
  It stands alone and doesn't get mixed up.

  ablative absolute: The books having been sold, the money was stolen.
  as an object: I bought the books having been sold

  How does one translate the ablative absolute?

  Do not translate the ablative absolute using 'by / with / from' - such could signify accompaniment or instrumentality - then it wouldn't be absolute.

  Translation:
  1. Notice the Ablative Absolute in the sentence
  2. Keep in mind its literal translation (natural meaning)
  3. Smooth it out (see the Last lesson)

Example:
Literal: she singing, much money disappeared
Smooth: if she was singing, much money disappeared
when she was singing, much money disappeared
because she was singing, much money disappeared

Note: the difference between an ablative absolute and an ablative of agent is sometimes thin
Recall: the ablative of agent requires a or ab for a personal agent

Now go on to Homework 28-29, Homework 30, and Homework 31

Third Experience Latin - Fr. Reginald Foster

Return to Index