Ablative Absolute

Ablative Absolute

Always going to be in the ablative. Seriously, always. -ā/-īs, -ō/-īs, -e/-ibus A Unique Latin Construction! Ablative Absolute “untied” “loosened” “set free” – i.e., grammatically free from the rest of the sentence

What does the Ablative Absolute do? • It describes the circumstances or background against which the main action of the sentence takes place, like an adverbial clause. • It is NOT grammatically related to the subject, object, or other word dependent upon the main verb

English Examples • With this being the case, there is nothing else I can do. • With the warm weather approaching, everyone looked forward to going to the beach. • With the Disney trip being tomorrow, the seniors are super excited…but also focused on learning the ablative absolute  • With prom having been finished, the juniors waited to get the film developed to see pictures (j/k…that was when Magistra went to prom.)

More English Examples • Weather permitting, we will have the picnic. • All things considered, this is a pretty good day. • You owe me ten dollars, tax included. • Your money will be refunded, no questions asked. Ask yourself: what EXACTLY is the participle modifying?

Compare: Ablative Absolute and Regular Participles • TIED TO THE SENTENCE • Fully loaded, the plane took off. • ABLATIVE ABSOLUTE: SEPARATED • With the cargo fully loaded, the plane took off. Ask yourself: what EXACTLY is the participle modifying?

Ask yourself: what EXACTLY is the participle modifying? English Examples • TIED TO THE SENTENCE • Having studied participles, the students thought the ablative absolute is a piece of cake! • ABLATIVE ABSOLUTE: SEPARATED • With participles having been studied, learning the ablative absolute is a piece of cake!

How will this look in Latin? • The ablative absolute is a phrase separated/loosened from the rest of the sentence • It will usually have a noun in the ablative case and a participle (also in the ablative) • It is usually set off by commas in Latin (this is VERY HELPFUL!) • The Perfect Passive Participle indicates an action completed at some time before that of the main verb.

How should I translate the ablative absolute? • Ablatives Absolute, like other uses of the participle, can be expanded into clauses that make more sense and are a much more fluid translation. • We can use words like after, although, because, since, even though to expand abl. abs. • For now, you can translate any ablative absolute construction as “WITH THE ----- HAVING BEEN ----ED”

Some Latin Examples • Officiōfactō, dominusdiscessit. • With the duty having been done, the master departed. • After the duty was completed… • Dux, signōdatō, prōcessit. • The leader, with the sign having been given, advanced. • …Because the sign was given…

Some Latin Examples • Puer, litterīsnōnmissīs, pecūniamnōnaccēpit. • The boy, with the letters not having been sent, did not accept the money. • …since the letters were not sent… • Oppidīsnostrīscaptīs, bellum gerēmus. • With our towns having been captured, we will wage war. • Because our towns were captured…

Other types of Ablatives Absolute • Sometimes you will see an ablative absolute with NO participle. It may have two (ablative) nouns or a noun and an adjective. • Noun + Noun: Augustō duce, pacemhabēmus. With Augustus as leader, we have peace. • Noun + Adjective: Populōliberō, vita grata est. With the people being free, life was pleasant.

Ablative Absolute or Participle as Clause? • Weather permitting, the picnic will be next week. • Tom’s car, purchased with his aunt’s money, was a ‘91 Ford. • When the grades had been turned in, the teacher started the next unit. • We found the backpack, which was lost yesterday. • After Gaul had been conquered, Caesar crossed the Rubicon.

Romulus Julius Caesar Augustus

Participles Adjectives Ablative Absolute

Ablative Absolute