in + Ablative (Where Something Is)

In a Place

Level 1

In plus the ablative means in or on a place.

How It Works

NounIn the...Latin
villahousein villa
hortusgardenin horto
forumforumin foro
templumtemplein templo
caelumskyin caelo

The same word followed by the accusative, in hortum, means into the garden. The ending shows the difference between being in a place and going into it.

Plural nouns of the first and second declension end in -is in the ablative: in villis, in hortis. Third declension nouns use -e or -i, as in in urbe (in the city), which comes at Level 3.

Examples (4)

  1. Marcus in horto est.

    Marcus is in the garden.

    Horto is the ablative of hortus.

  2. Iulia in villa cantat.

    Iulia is singing in the house.

    Villa is the ablative. It looks like the nominative, but its final a is long.

  3. Pueri in foro sunt.

    The boys are in the forum.

    Foro is the ablative of forum.

  4. Pater noster, qui es in caelis.

    Our Father, who are in heaven.

    Caelis is the ablative plural.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the accusative to say where something is.

    Marcus in hortum est.
    Marcus in horto est.

    Intended meaning: Marcus is in the garden. In hortum means into the garden. To say where someone is, use the ablative horto.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

in + Ablative (Where Something Is)Level 1In a Place

Learn This First

In with a place needs est and a noun to put it with, so est and the first family come first.

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Words in This Pattern

in