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 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.

Image credit: FCIT