1
Basic Terminology
Syntax – The way in which words are put together; the relationship of words to each other.
From the Greek  (syntassō), meaning “to arrange.”
Inflection – Changes in the endings of words
Declension – The inflection of nouns, adjectives, and pronouns
Conjugation – The inflection of verbs
Attributes of Nouns
Case – The inflected form of a noun. The case of a noun changes based on its function in a
sentence (e.g. subject or object of a verb).
There are six cases in Latin: Nominative
Genitive
Dative
Accusative
Ablative
Vocative
(Some nouns have a 7th case, the Locative)
Number – Singular or plural
Gender – Masculine, feminine, or neuter
Declensions – Groups of nouns with the same case endings, identified by the ending of the
genitive singular. Latin has five declensions.
This “Introductory Latin Grammar” is heavily indebted to Mrs. Handley and Mr. Rowland as well
as the following texts, which have provided both examples as well as charts herein:
Ullman, B.L., and Charles Henderson Jr. Latin for Americans. 9th ed. Columbus, OH:
Glencoe McGraw-Hill, 2007.
Wheelock, Frederic M., and Richard A. LaFleur. Wheelock's Latin. 6th ed. New York:
HarperResource, 2005.
Gildersleeve, Basil L., and Gonzalez Lodge. Gildersleeve's Latin Grammar. Wauconda, IL:
Bolchazy-Carducci, 1997.