Chapter Fourteen

Uses of the Ablative

Case

Uses of the Ablative Case

We have learned that the ablative case modifies or limits
the verb; we have also learned that is used mainly in
conjunction with prepositions. There are six different
prepositions that can be used to translate an ablative
noun by/with/from/in/at/on. These are assumed as
part of the noun.
Id meis auribus audivi. I heard it with my own ears.

There are also several unassumed prepositions that will

be used in conjunction with the ablative case (ex, d, ab,
in). These prepositions will take the place of the
assumed prepositions of the ablative case.
However, it is important to know when to use an
assumed preposition in conjunction with an ablative noun
and when to use an unassumed ablative.

Uses of the Ablative Case

Thus far, the ablative case has generally been used along
with prepositions and for that reason has given us little
difficulty. However, depending on the intended purpose
of the ablative in use, the ablative case can be used
without a preposition to express certain ideas. The
proper interpretation of such ablatives requires two
things:
1) a knowledge of the prepositionless categories
2) an analysis of context to see which category is the
most logical

Uses of the Ablative Case

There are three common uses (or constructions) of the
ablative case which we will cover in this chapter;
several additional uses will be introduced in later
chapters of your textbook, so it is important to start a
list in your notes NOW so that you can use it for future
reference.
I would suggest including on this list the name of the
ablative, a definition, what questions it answers, and
several examples of what each kind of ablative does.

Ablative of Means
The ablative of means is one of the most important of
the prepositionless categories. It always answers the
question by means of what?, by what?, with what?, and
its English translation is a phrase introduced by the
prepositions by, by means of, with.

Prepositionless does not require a preposition

Question(s) By what? With what? By means of
what?
Translation(s) by/with/by means of _______

Examples of Ablative of
Means
Litteram stil scripsit.

He wrote a letter with a pencil.

Cives pecuni su vicit.

He conquered the citizens with his money.

Id oculis meis vidi.

I saw it with my own eyes.

Suis laboribus urbem conservavit.

He saved the city by his own labors.

Ablatives of Accompaniment
You have already encountered the use of the
preposition cum + ablative case to indicate
accompaniment (which answers the question with
whom?). This ablative will require a preposition, and
therefore is not considered to be one of the
prepositionless ablatives.

Preposition cum
Question With whom?
Translation with (an individual)

Examples of Ablatives of
Accompaniment
Cum amicis vnerunt.
They came with friends.
Is bellum cum amicis suis vicit.
He won the war with his friends.

Ablatives of Manner
Ablatives of manner, like those of accompaniment, will
also use the preposition cum in accordance with the
ablative case. Ablatives of manner will answer the
question how.

Preposition cum
Question How?
Translation with ___ (usually an action of
some kind)

Examples of Ablatives of
Manner
Id cum virtute pugnavit.
He fought with courage.
He fought courageously.
Cum celeritate cuccurerunt.
They ran with speed.
They ran quickly.

Ablatives As Adverbs
Ablative constructions often function adverbially, which
means it is telling you something about the action of the
verb (by what means/with whom the action was
performed, in what manner it was performed).
Remember that adverbs answer the questions where,
when, how, or why. Also, you should recall that ablatives
of manner answer the question how, so they will always
function adverbially and can be translated as such.

Instead of They ran with great speed,

consider saying, They ran very quickly.