IS: Lesson - Participles in Context - Translations

Legionem oppugnantem vidimus.

• We saw the attacking legion.
• We saw the legion which was attacking.
• We saw the legion while it was attacking.

Spectantes ad novum locum moti sunt.

• The spectators (lit: the ones watching) were moved to a new place.
  • This is an example of a participle being used as a substantive.

Librum omnibus venientibus dabis.

• You will give a book to everyone coming.
• You will give a book to everyone who is coming.
• You will give a book to everyone if they come.

Incolae ab urbe incendenti effugiunt.

• The inhabitants are escaping from the burning city.
• The inhabitants are escaping as the city burns.
• The inhabitants are escaping from the city because it is burning.

Pauci agentium a feminis laudabantur.

• A few of the actors (lit: the ones acting) were praised by the women.
  • This is an example of a participle being used as a substantive.

Exercitus victus sub iugo missus est.

• The conquered army was sent under the yoke (humiliated).
• The army, having been conquered, was sent under the yoke.
• The army, because they were conquered, was sent under the yoke.
• The army was defeated and sent under the yoke.

• No one remains in the burned city.
• No one remains in the city after it was burned down.

• He will give the book which he has read to his friend.
• If he has read it, he will give the book to his friend.

• Horatius stood on the part of the broken bridge which remained.
  • Which noun is the antecedent of quae? Parte – the part remained.
• Although it was broken, Horatius stood on the part of the bridge which remained.

• Pseudolus investigated the death of Marcellus, who was murdered.
• Pseudolus investigated the death of Marcellus, because he was murdered.

Milites urbem impetum facturi erant.

• The soldiers were going to attack the city.
  • impetum facere – to make an attack; to attack
  • This is an example of the active periphrastic.

Senator dicturus ad rostrum stat.

• The senator who is about to speak stands at the speaker's platform.

• Caesar marched to Gaul to attack the Helvetians.
  • This is an example of a Future Active Participle being used as a purpose clause.

• He was going to try to sing the very difficult song.
  • Could this be “she” was going to try? (hint: what ending do you see on temptaturus?)
  • This is an example of the active periphrastic.

• The emperor spared the life of the rather popular gladiator who was about to perish.

Ponte rupto, cives salutem domorum non iam desperaverunt.

• Since the bridge was broken, the citizens no longer despaired for the safety of their homes.
• With the bridge broken, the citizens no longer despaired for the safety of their homes.

• After the signal has been given, Hannibal’s forces will join the battle.
• If the signal is given, Hannibal’s forces will join the battle.

• With the citizens fleeing, the sailors were shooting flaming arrows into the city.
• While the citizens were fleeing, the sailors were shooting flaming arrows into the city.

• Although Pompeii was destroyed, there are still settlements near Mount Vesuvius.

• While the general was governing that province, enemy soldiers were attacking this province.
• Even though the general was governing that province, enemy soldiers were attacking this province.