Latin Complements: A Comprehensive Guide
This page provides a detailed overview of various Latin complements, their constructions, and usage. It serves as a valuable resource for students studying Latin grammar and syntax.
Definition: Complements in Latin are grammatical structures that provide additional information about the main elements of a sentence, such as the subject, verb, or object.
State in Place (Stato in luogo)
- Constructed using in + ablative
- Example: "in urbe" inthecity
Highlight: The complemento di stato in luogo is one of the most common place complements in Latin.
Motion Towards (Moto a luogo)
- Formed with in or ad + accusative
- Example: "ad urbem" towardsthecity
Vocabulary: Moto a luogo latino refers to movement towards a place or destination.
Agent
- Expressed using a or ab + ablative
- Used in passive constructions to indicate the doer of the action
Denomination
- Uses the same case as the noun it refers to
- Often used for titles or names
Cause
Internal Cause
External Cause
- ob or propter + accusative
Example: "ob timorem" becauseoffear
Union
- Constructed with cum + ablative
- Indicates accompaniment or association
Topic/Subject Matter
- Expressed using de + ablative
- For literary works, can use nominative
Vocabulary: The complemento di argomento latino is used to specify the topic or subject of discussion.
Advantage
- Dative case or pro + ablative
- Indicates for whose benefit an action is performed
Efficient Cause
- Simple ablative
- Indicates the direct cause of an action
Manner
- cum + ablative
- Describes how an action is performed
Means/Instrument
- Simple ablative
- For persons, use per + accusative
Example: "per nuntium" throughamessenger
Motion From (Moto da luogo)
- a/ab, e/ex + ablative
- Indicates the starting point of movement
Motion Through
- per + accusative
- Describes movement through a place
Preventing Cause
- prae + ablative
- Indicates a cause that prevents an action
Purpose
- Dative case
- in or ad + accusative
- Genitive + causā/gratiā
Highlight: The purpose complement can be expressed in multiple ways in Latin, offering flexibility in sentence construction.
Accompaniment
- cum + ablative
- Similar to union, but specifically for accompanying persons
Continuous Time
- per + accusative
- Indicates duration of time
Material
- e/ex, de + ablative
- Can also use corresponding adjective
Disadvantage
- Simple dative
- Opposite of the advantage complement
Age and Specific Time
- Ablative case
- in + ablative forfutureeventswithattributes
Quality
- Physical qualities: Ablative case
- Moral qualities: Genitive case
- Weight, measure, number: Ablative case
Vocabulary: The complemento di qualità in Latin distinguishes between physical and moral attributes through case usage.
Limitation
- Simple ablative
- Used with certain adjectives e.g.,notus,illustris
Abundance and Deprivation
- Simple ablative
- Indicates possession or lack of something
Separation
- a/ab + ablative forpersons
- e/ex, de + ablative forthings
Origin
- Ablative case forfamilyorsocialclass
- a/ab, e/ex, de + ablative forpeopleorplaces
Highlight: The variety of complements in Latin allows for precise and nuanced expression of relationships between different elements in a sentence.
This comprehensive guide to Latin complements provides students with a solid foundation for understanding and using these grammatical structures in their studies and translations.
