AQU: Lesson - Prepositions and Prepositional Phrases

Prepositions and Prepositional Phrases

A preposition is a word which shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and another word in the sentence. A preposition may indicate place, direction, manner, time, means, or agent. Prepositions in Latin are followed with either accusative or ablative case objects. It's important to differentiate which case is used with a preposition. Consider the chart below. Additionally, download the Prepositions Links to an external site.handout for your notes.

Latin Prepositions by Case
Case Used Common Prepositions

ABLATIVE CASE

Many of these prepositions show motion away, separation or position.

  • a,ab - away from, by
  • cum - with
  • de - down from, about
  • e, ex - out of
  • in - in, on
  • pro - in front of
  • sine - without
  • sub - under

 ACCUSATIVE CASE

Many of these prepositions show motion to or towards.

  • ad - to, towards
  • ante - before
  • circum - around
  • extra - outside
  • in - into, onto
  • inter - between
  • intra - inside
  • ob - because, on account of
  • per - through
  • post - after, behind
  • prope - near
  • sub - up to the foot of
  • super - over, above
  • trans - across

NOTA BENE: Two of the prepositions listed in the chart appear in both the ablative row and the accusative row. Take note of the difference in how they are used.

  • in
    • Ablative = in, on (describes the position of a noun)
    • Accusative = into/onto (describes a motion moving in)
  • sub
    • Ablative = under (describes the position of a noun)
    • Accusative = up to the foot of (describes a motion moving up to)

Practice Activity

Video Lesson

Let's learn more about prepositions and how to form and translate prepositional phrases in Latin.

Download a printable version of the slides and full transcript for the Prepositions and Prepositional Phrases Video Lesson Links to an external site..

Image credit: FCIT