NEUTER NOUNS
The neuter noun is found in the 2nd and 3rd declensions. If it is a
2nd declension noun, it will end in –um in the nominative
singular.
If it is in the 3rd declension, it can end in anything.
You can tell if a noun is neuter in the vocabulary list because
there will a little “n” after the genitive form meaning it’s neuter.
The neuter noun of the 2nd and 3rd declension has the exact
same endings as any other noun in its declension EXCEPT in the
nominative and accusative.
The rule is: The Nominative and Accusative cases will
always be the same.
The nominative plural of any neuter noun ends in –a so the
accusative plural of any neuter noun ends in –a.
These are the neuter endings.
CASE
NOM
GEN
DAT
ACC
ABL
CASE
NOM
GEN
DAT
ACC
ABL
2ND
periculum
periculi
periculo
periculum
periculo
2ND
pericula
periculorum
periculis
pericula
periculis
3RD
litus
litoris
litori
litus
litore
3RD
litora
litorum
litoribus
litora
litoribus
Above are examples of neuter nouns in the 2nd declension:
periculum and 3rd declension: litus.
A quick note about English Vocabulary. There are many
English words that have Latin singular and plural endings.
We always use the nominative. Think about these English
singular and plural forms:
antenna and antennae - from the 1st declension
alumnis and alumni - from the 2nd declension masculine
referendum and referenda and agendum and agenda from
the 2nd declension neuter
matrix and matrices from the 3rd declension