Uses of the Ablative Case Ablatives of Manner

Uses of the Ablative Case Ablatives of Manner, Instrument (Means), Separation, and Place from Which

Ablative of Manner • An ablative noun describes the way in which an action took place • The preposition cum is very frequently used, especially if the noun is not modified by an adjective (e. g. , cum fortitūdine) • Xerxēs, rēx Persārum contra Graecōs bellum cum māgnā industriā parāre dīcitur. • Xerxes, king of the Persians, is said to prepare war against the Greeks with great care. • Tunc nāvēs Persārum māgnā fortitūdine oppugnant. • Then, with great courage, they attack the ships of the Persians.

Ablative of Means/Instrument • Describes the means or instrument by or with which an action is performed using no preposition • Athēniēnsēs mūrīs ligneīs servārī possunt. • The Athenians can be saved by means of wooden walls.

Ablative of (Personal) Agent • By what person something is done • Always follows the preposition ā/ab • Catullus tamen vult cum puellā esse et ā puellā amārī. • Catullus however wants to be with the girl and to be loved by the girl.

The Ablative of Separation • Used with verbal expressions of freeing, lacking, and separation • Usually appears without a preposition, but sometimes the prepositions ā/ab, dē, or ē/ex are used. • Athēniēnsēs timōre līberantur. • The Athenians are freed from fear.

Ablative of Place from Which • Closely related in meaning and use to the ablative of separation, but denotes motion away from • Always appears with a preposition • Ā terrā suā fugiunt… • They flee from their land…

Ablative of Place Where • “Place Where” is expressed in the ablative case with the preposition in • Answers the question of where something took place • Pythia haec verba Athēmiēnsibus in templō Delphicō dīcit. The Pythian priestess says these words to the Athenians in the Delphic temple.

Ablatives • • • Ablative of Manner Ablative of Means/Instrument Ablative of Agent Ablative of Separation Ablative of Place from Which Ablative of Place Where