Lesson 28: Ablative
Learning a new noun function
The technical name for this is the Ablative function, which is used in two ways:
- Natural meaning: by, with, from, in
- - This has a significance of seperation
- 50% of Prepositions
- - Recall in Lesson 5 we learned that half of prepositions take the accusative
Forming the Ablative function of the Noun
A. Block I Nouns and Adjectives (adjectives follow the nouns):
| Block I Ablative
|
| Masculine | Feminine | Neuter
|
| Singular | Plural | Singular | Plural | Singular | Plural
|
| Ending: | -o | -is | -à | -is | -o | -is
|
| Noun: | vento | ventis | gratià | gratiis | signo | signis
|
| Adjective: | magno | magnis | divinà | divinis | claro | claris
|
| Meaning: | by great wind(s) | with divine grace(s) | from clear sign(s)
|
B. Block II Nouns and Adjectives:
| Block II Ablative
|
| Nouns | Adjectives
|
| Singular | Plural | Singular | Plural
|
-e
[-i 20%] | -ibus | -i
[-e 20%] | -ibus
|
| homine (m) | hominibus | nobili | nobilibus | by noble person(s)
|
| virtute (f) | virtutibus | vehementi | vehementibus | from violent powers(s)
|
| nomine (n) | nominibus | notabili | notabilibus | with notable name(s)
|
Now go on to Lesson 29
N.B.
- Several Ablative forms are very similar to other functions in Latin. Therefore we have to know our vocabulary.
- In the feminine singular of Block I, notice that the ablative is the same as the nominative, except that the a is long (here shown with an accent).
- Thus if the long isn't marked it can be ambiguous: "gratia redimit nos" - grace has redeemed us OR he has redeemed us by grace.
- Block 2 is the same for all three genders.
- Block 2 Adjectives are the reverse of the Nouns.
First Experience Latin - Fr. Reginald Foster
Answers to First ExperienceReturn to Index