English-Latin 'Top Tips'

Question 1

What is basic word order?

Answer 1

(Time phrase), nominative, dative, accusative, (genitive), verb

Question 2

What are the two ways to translate ‘in’?

Answer 2

in + acc = into/onto

in + abl = in/on

Question 3

In which ways can you use ‘ad’?

Answer 3

If there is motion towards something, use ‘ad’ + acc

If it just means ‘to’/‘for’, just use dative

Question 4

What two ways can you say ‘men’?

Answer 4

• viri (nom. Plural 2nd declension)

- homines (nom. Plural 3rd declension)

Question 5

What is the rule considering ‘e’ or ‘ex’ and ‘a’ or ‘ab’?

Answer 5

‘e’ when consonant follows.
‘ex’ when vowel follows.
Same applies to ‘a’/‘ab’.

Question 6

How does one say ‘in/at Rome’?

Give other location rule.

Answer 6

‘In/at Rome’ = Romae
Big islands/cities don’t need a preposition.
This is known as the ‘locative’.
‘domo’ (at home) also fits this rule.

Question 7

What is the rule for time phrases?

Answer 7

For (a time length) = put the phrase in the acc.

In/at/on (a time) = put the phrase in the abl.

Question 8

What declension is the verb ‘to be’ followed by?

Answer 8

A nominative

Question 9

Conjugate ‘esse’ (to be) in the imperfect and perfect

Answer 9

Imperfect (I was / you were):

• eram
• eras
• erat
• eramus
• eratis
• erant

Perfect (I have been):

• fui
• fuisti
• fuit
• fuimus
• fuistis
• fuerunt

Question 10

Conjugate ‘posse’ (to be able) into the present, imperfect, perfect.

Answer 10

Present (I am able):

• possum
• poets
• potest
• possumus
• potestis
• possunt

Imperfect (I was/ used to be able):

• poteram
• poteras
• poterat
• poteramus
• poteratis
• poterant

Perfect (I have been able/ I could):

• potui
• potuisti
• potuit
• potuimus
• potuistis
• potuerunt

Question 11

How does one form the imperfect?

Answer 11

1st, 2nd, 3rd conjugations:
Take the infinitive
- ‘are’ = 1st
- ‘ere’ = 2nd/3rd
Remove the ‘RE’
Add the endings.

4th conjugation:
- ‘ire’
Remove ‘RE’ from infinitive: left with ‘i’
Add an ‘e’ + the endings.

Question 12

How do you form the imperative (orders)?

Answer 12

1. Take the infinitive.
2. Remove ‘RE’. This is the final step for singulars ie. talking to one person. For plurals (ie. talking to more than one person):
3. Add ‘te’ to the end.

Exception:
PLURAL 3RD CONJUGATIONS
eg. trahere 
1. Remove ‘ERE’.
2. Add ‘ite’ to the end.