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In this lesson, we continue our study of substantive nouns by learning about cases. As we have already seen, nouns change their form in various ways. Until now, we have observed these changes without fully understanding what they mean. In this lesson, we begin to learn how the different forms of nouns express different relationships within a sentence.
Before examining cases directly, it is helpful to recall a basic principle of grammar. Every sentence is made up of two main parts: a subject and a predicate. The subject is that about which the sentence speaks. The predicate is what is said about the subject. Together, these two parts express a complete thought.
Consider the sentence Fuit homo missus a Deo. In English, this means “There was a man sent by God.” The sentence is about homo, a man. Therefore, homo is the subject. What is said about the man is that he was sent by God. This part of the sentence is the predicate.
Within the predicate, we usually find one or more objects. The action expressed by the verb passes onto these objects. Sometimes the action passes directly onto an object, and sometimes it passes indirectly. When the action passes directly onto something, that thing is called the direct object. When the action passes indirectly onto something, that thing is called the indirect object.
For example, consider the sentence Deus dat dona hominibus, meaning “God gives gifts to men.” The subject is Deus. The action of giving passes directly onto dona, the gifts. Therefore, dona is the direct object. The action then passes indirectly onto hominibus, to men. Therefore, hominibus is the indirect object. Understanding subjects, predicates, direct objects, and indirect objects is essential before we can understand cases clearly.
The word case refers to a change in the ending of a noun. These changes occur when a noun is declined. To understand this idea, it is helpful to think in terms of what is essential and what is accidental. Something essential belongs to a thing by its nature and makes it what it is. Something accidental belongs to a thing without defining what it is.
For example, being human is essential to a man. Being tall or short is accidental. A ball must be round to be a ball, but it does not have to be red or blue. In the same way, a noun has an essential form and accidental forms. The essential form of a noun is the form we use simply to name it. The accidental forms are its cases.
When we say “dog,” we use the essential form of the noun. When we say “dog’s bone,” we use a different form to show possession. When we say “dogs,” we use a different form to show number. These changes do not alter what the noun is, but they change how it is used. These altered forms are called cases.
Strictly speaking, the singular form used simply to name a noun is not truly a case, because it is the essential form rather than an accidental one. However, for the sake of simplicity, it is still commonly referred to as a case.
There are six cases used with Latin nouns. Each case has a particular function, and the names of the cases help us remember their uses. The nominative case is used to name a thing and to mark the subject of a sentence. It answers the questions “Who?” or “What?” When we ask what a sentence is about, the answer is found in the nominative case.
The genitive case shows origin, possession, or source. It answers the questions “Whose?” or “Whereof?” When we say “the light of men,” the word “men” shows whose light it is and therefore stands in the genitive case.
The dative case is used to show to whom something is given, done, or attributed. It answers the questions “To whom?” or “To what?” When a name is attributed to someone, or a gift is given to someone, the recipient is placed in the dative case.
The accusative case is used to show that the action of a verb passes onto a person or thing. It answers the questions “Whom?” or “What?” When something is acted upon directly, it stands in the accusative case. If a light illuminates every man, then “every man” is in the accusative case because the action passes directly onto him.
The vocative case is used when a person or thing is being addressed or called upon. When we speak directly to someone, that person’s name is in the vocative case. In English, we often signal this by using the word “O,” as when we say, “O Lord.”
The ablative case is used to show separation, source, or means. It often answers the question “From what?” or “By what?” It commonly follows certain prepositions. When we say that a man was sent from God, God is the source, and the noun stands in the ablative case. Many prepositions govern the ablative, and we will become familiar with these through practice.
This lesson introduces many new ideas, and it is natural if they do not all seem clear at once. Our goal at this stage is not complete mastery, but clear recognition. We should understand what a case is, why nouns change their forms, and how the basic cases function in sentences. As we continue our study, these ideas will be reviewed and strengthened, and we will gradually learn to read Latin by understanding its forms rather than relying on memorized translations.
We are only at the beginning of this study. With careful reading, steady practice, and patience, the structure of Latin grammar will become clear and intelligible.
Memory Work
1. (Review). How many things happen to a Noun Substantive?
Six things happen to a Noun Substantive: Gender, Number, Case, Declension, Figure and Kind.
2. What is a Case?
A case is the changing of terminations in declining.
3. How many cases are there?
There are six cases:
1. the Nominative((Note: The Nominative Case is not truly a “case” in the singular number. See lesson explanation for details.)), by which we name a thing. This answers to the questions ‘Who?’ or ‘What?’. The Nominative case is used to mark a subject.
2. the Genitive, which signifies whose anything is, or to whom it pertains. This answers to the questions ‘Whose?’ or ‘Whereof?’.
3. the Dative, by which we attribute some thing to any one. This answers the questions, ‘To whom?’ or ‘To what?’. The Dative case is used to mark an indirect object.
4. the Accusative, which follows an Active verb, and on which the action of the verb passes. This answers to the questions, ‘Whom?’ or ‘What?’. The Accusative case is used to mark a direct object.
5. the Vocative, by which we call on persons or things.
6. the Ablative, by which we signify something to be taken from another, and it most commonly follows a preposition, which governs it.
4. What are the two parts of a sentence?
The two parts of a sentence are the subject and the predicate.
5. What is the subject of a sentence?
The subject of a sentence is that about which the sentence speaks.
6. What is the predicate of a sentence?
The predicate of a sentence is that which is said about the subject.
7. What is an object?
An object is a thing onto which an action passes.
8. What is a direct object?
A direct object is an object onto which an action directly passes.
9. What is an indirect object?
An indirect object is an object onto which an action indirectly passes.
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