Direct Object Forms
Magister Henderson
Latin I
Direct Object Definition
• A direct object is a noun or pronoun that
follows a transitive verb.
• A transitive verb is a verb that performs
action upon an object or objects.
• The other two types of verbs are linking verbs,
which connect a subject to a predicate
compliment and intransitive verbs, which
expresses an action that requires no object.
English Examples
Type of Verb
Example
Linking Verb
They are students.
Transitive Verb
The student reads the book.
Intransitive Verb
The students learn.
In the first example, the verb “are” links the subject to its
predicate compliment, functioning like an equals sign.
In the second example, the verb “reads” describes the action the
student performs upon the object.
In the third sentence, the verb “learn” requires no object.
Direct Objects in Latin
• Direct objects in Latin often end in –m.
• Depending on the class of the noun the
ending may be –am, -um, or –em.
Feminine
Masculine
Masculine
Feminine
Subject
puella
servus
puer
māter
Direct Object
puellam
servum
puerum
mātrem
This last class of noun, also includes some masculine nouns that
take a direct object in –em, such as: pater  patrem.
Latin Word Order
• Because endings show meaning in Latin rather
than word order, Latin is verb flexible in its
composition.
• Consider the following sentences:
Puer puellam videt.
Videt puer puellam.
Puellam puer videt.
Videt puellam puer.
All four of these sentences mean: “The boy sees the
girl.”