Stage 10 Prepositions

What is a preposition?

A preposition is a word—and almost always a very small, very common word—that shows the relationship between words. They show direction, location, or time, or introduce an object.

I sent a letter to you. (To shows the direction of the letter and you.)

Someone is at the door. (At shows the location of someone relative to the door.)

We will arrive by noon. (By shows the relative time we will arrive--noon.)

She brought a basket of apples. (Of shows what the basket is holding--apples.)

Preposition + Accusative

In Latin, a preposition is followed by a word in the accusative or ablative case. This is a prepositional phrase.

Some prepositions that take an accusative case word are: ad (toward), ante (before/in front of), per (through), and post (after).

E.g. ad villam (toward the villa), ante ianuam (in front of the door), per vias (through the streets), post cenam (after dinner).

IN YOUR NOTES: List the prepositions that take the accusative and their definitions.

​Nota Bene:

Accusative singular endings: -am, -um, -em

Accusative Plural Endings: -as, -os, -es

Preposition + Ablative

In Latin, some prepositions are followed by a word in the ablative case.

Some prepositions that take an ablative case word are: a/ab (away from), e/ex (out of), de (down from/about), and cum (with). (Note: It's a and e in front of consonants, ab and ex in front of vowels.)

E.g. a villā (away from the villa), ex atrio (out of the atrium),
de tecto (down from the roof), de naturā (about nature), cum amicis (with friends).

​Nota Bene:

Ablative singular endings: -ā, -o, -e

Ablative Plural Endings: -is, -ibus

​ IN YOUR NOTES: List the prepositions that take the ablative and their definitions.

Preposition + Accusative OR Ablative

Some prepositions can take an ablative case word OR an accusative case word. In this case, the ablative version usually denotes a static position and the accusative version usually denotes movement toward.

Some prepositions that take an accusative OR ablative case word are: in (abl = in, acc = into), sub (abl = [staying] under, acc = [going] under), super (abl = [staying] over, acc = [going] over)

E.g. in villam (into the villa); in villa (in the villa), sub arborem (under the tree), super mare (over the sea)

IN YOUR NOTES: List the prepositions that take both cases and their definitions.