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Latin Handout #3
Uses of the Ablative Case
The ablative case has many uses, such as:
1. Expressing motion from, or to express lack of motion.
a/ab
cum
de
e/ex
in
pro
sine
sub
from
with
down from
out of
in, on
in front of, on behalf of
without
inder
2. with/by: expressing the means or instrument with or by which something is
done.
me gladio vulneravit
pilis ludebant
ad urbem pedibus ibant
he wounded me with a sword
they were playing with balls
they were going on foot (by foot) to the city
3. with: expressing the manner in which something was done.
Summa celeritate rediit
Magna voce clamavit
he returned with the greatest speed
he shouted in (with) a loud voice
4. with/of: describing qualities
est puer mango ingenio
puella summa virtute
vir parava prudential
he is a boy of great talent
she is a girl of great courage
a man of little prudence
5. some adjectives take the ablative where English has a genitive
iuvenis dignus est laude
urna aqua plena erat
the young man is worthy of praise
the pot was full of water
Materials borrowed from Balme , Maurice and James Morwoord . Oxford Latin Course Part II. New York:
Oxford, 2000.