Case Name
and Typical Meaning / Use |
Sing./Plural
Endings |
Examples |
Nominative
The "subject case": the subject is the word found by asking WHO or WHAT before the verb. |
-ÊS |
-ÊS |
rês, rês Rês mihi nuntiâta est.
The matter was reported to me.
Multae rês ad hoc cônsilium Gallôs hortâbantur.
Many considerations encouraged the Galls toward this strategy.
|
Genitive
The "possession case": The genitive word corresponds to the word that takes an apostrophe in English. If (A) is in the genitive, (A) possesses something else (B), with the emphasis falling on (B), so that (A) is somewhat like a modifier of (B): in student's book (= discipuli liber), the possession-word qualifies the meaning of the noun book. |
-EÎ,
-ÊÎ |
-ÊRUM |
reî, rêrum
Plus acquisisti dignitâtis quam amisistî reî familiâris.
You have gained more in dignity than you have lost in property.
dê rêrum natûrâ
about the nature of the universe |
Dative
The "indirect object case": the indirect object is found by asking TO / FOR WHOM? or TO / FOR WHAT? after the verb. Certain verbs govern the dative. |
-EÎ,
-ÊÎ |
-ÊBUS |
reî, rêbus
Huic reî idôneôs hominês dêligêbat.
She selected people suitable for this matter.
Sed hîs
rêbus tantum temporis tribuit, quantum erat properantî necesse.
But he gave only so much time to these matters as was necessary for one in haste.
|
Accusative
The "direct object case": the direct object is usually found by asking WHO or WHAT after an action-verb whose action has a receiver. "We hold these truths." The accusative is also used after certain prepositions. |
-EM |
-ÊS |
rem, rês
ûnam rem ad mê scrîpsistî...
One thing you have written to me...
Rês meliôrês quaerit.
she is looking for better things.
|
Ablative
The "by-with-from case": Certain prepositions and certain verbs govern objects in this case. Used alone it can have an adverbial meaning, for example, to indicate by what means something is done. |
-Ê |
-ÊBUS |
rê, rêbus
Nec eâ rê fruî volêbam quam furtô appetêbam.
And I did not want to take enjoyment of that thing that I was seeking in the theft.
Hîs dê rêbus Caesar certior factus est.
Caesar was informed about these things
|
