Ablative Absolute Without a Participle
Put two words in the ablative and add being or was in English.
How It Works
Latin has no present participle of sum, so an ablative absolute can be built from two words alone: two nouns, or a noun or pronoun with an adjective. English adds the missing was or being.
| Latin | Word for word | English |
|---|---|---|
| Cicerone consule | Cicero consul | when Cicero was consul |
| me puero | I a boy | when I was a boy |
| me invito | I unwilling | against my will |
| Caesare duce | Caesar leader | with Caesar as leader |
Both words are in the ablative. The first names the person or thing, and the second says what that person is at the time: a title (consule), an age (puero) or a feeling (invito).
These phrases are short and common, so learn them whole: me invito, te duce, Deo duce.
Examples (5)
- Cicerone consule, Roma salva erat.
When Cicero was consul, Rome was safe.
Cicerone consule is two nouns in the ablative. Nothing stands for was.
- Me invito, Marcus discedit.
Marcus leaves against my will.
Me invito is a pronoun and an adjective in the ablative.
- Caesare duce, milites bene pugnant.
With Caesar as leader, the soldiers fight well.
Caesare duce is two nouns in the ablative.
- Me puero, avus in villa habitabat.
When I was a boy, my grandfather lived in the villa.
Me puero means when I was a boy.
- Christo duce, ad ecclesiam imus.
With Christ as our leader, we go to church.
Christo duce is two nouns in the ablative.
Common Mistakes
Leaving the adjective in the nominative.
Me invitus, Marcus discedit.Me invito, Marcus discedit.Me is ablative, so the adjective must be ablative too: invito. Invitus is the nominative form.
How It Connects
Learn This First
The participle can be left out of the phrase.
Related Patterns
Practice Ablative Absolute Without a Participle in Bubblegum
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