How Long, How Far
Put the length of time or the distance in the accusative, with no preposition.
How It Works
| Question | Latin | English |
|---|---|---|
| how long? | tres annos | for three years |
| how long? | totam noctem | all night |
| how far? | tria milia passuum | three miles |
No preposition is needed. English says for three years, and Latin says only tres annos.
A Roman mile is a thousand paces. Milia is a plural noun, so the word for paces is in the genitive: tria milia passuum is three thousands of paces.
The accusative also shows the size of a thing with an adjective, as in via tria milia passuum longa, a road three miles long.
Examples (5)
- Marcus tres annos Romae habitavit.
Marcus lived in Rome for three years.
Tres annos is the accusative of how long.
- Monachi totam noctem orant.
The monks pray all night.
Totam noctem is the accusative of how long.
- Pueri multas horas in villa manent.
The boys stay in the house for many hours.
Multas horas is the accusative of how long.
- Via tria milia passuum longa est.
The road is three miles long.
Tria milia passuum is the accusative of how far.
- Iulia duos menses in Italia fuit.
Iulia was in Italy for two months.
Duos menses is the accusative of how long.
How It Connects
Learn This First
The accusative says how long and how far, so the accusative comes first.
Related Patterns
Practice How Long, How Far in Bubblegum
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