Latin Grammar I, Lesson 18. Plural Cases of Third Declension Neuter (Nouns)

In this lesson, we continue to study the grammar of third declension nouns, focusing on the plural forms of neuter (gender) nouns. To complete the objectives of this lesson, complete the following tasks:

Read over the lesson once to become familiar with the content to be studied.
Study the lesson for mastery, learning the translation of each Latin rule.
Complete the lesson assessment.

Source: Alvarez, Institutio Grammatica, translated by Mr. William C. Michael.

Lesson

Before starting this lesson, it is recommended that you take a few minutes and review lesson 13, where we studied the common rules for third declension nouns.

18. Casus plurales nominandi, accusandi et vocandi neutrius generis in -A desinunt, si ablativus singularis in -E tantum exit, ut tempora: si vero in -I tantum aut in -E vel -I terminatur, tunc in -IA desinunt, ut vectigalia, ingentia: praeter comparativa et vetus, veteris quae in -A exeunt, ut maiora, vetera, plura.

Translation

The plural cases of the nominative, accusative and vocative of the neuter gender (1) end in -A, if the ablative singular in -E only ends, as tempora: if however (2) in -I only, or in -E or -I it is ended, then in -IA they end, as vectigalia, ingentia: besides (3) comparatives and vetus, veteris, which end in -A, as maiora, vetera, plura.

Notes

At first glance, third declension nouns can appear very difficult to learn. Compared to the first and second declensions, it seems like the third declension has many different forms, but it’s not as complicated as it first appears. In this lesson, we learn that there are three different situations that affect the endings of neuter plural cases:

if the ablative singular form ends in -E, then the nominative, accusative and vocative plural forms end in -A.
if the ablative singular form does or can end in -I, then the nominative, accusative and vocative plural forms end in -IA.
for comparative adjectives, and the adjective vetus, the nominative, accusative and vocative plural forms end in -A.

So, to simplify this, the neuter plural forms end in -A, but may end in -IA if the ablative singular does or can end in -I.

That’s all we learn in lesson 18, so take some time to memorize the declensions of the following nouns:

1. hoc tempus, temporis

Singular Number

Nom. hoc tempus, time
Gen. temporis, of time
Dat. tempori, to time
Acc. tempus, time
Voc. O tempus, O time
Abl. a tempore*, from time

*Note the -E ending in the ablative singular.

Plural Number

Nom. tempora*, times
Gen. temporum, of times
Dat. temporibus, to times
Acc. tempora*, times
Voc. O tempora*, O times
Abl. a temporibus, from times

* Note the endings in -A.

2. hoc ingente

Singular Number

Nom. hoc ingens, (a) huge (thing)
Gen. ingentis, of (a) huge (thing)
Dat. ingenti, to (a) huge (thing)
Acc. ingens, (a) huge (thing)
Voc. O ingens, O huge (thing)
Abl. ab ingenti*, from (a) huge (thing)

*Note the -I ending in the ablative singular.