The Accusative Case
The accusative is the case of the object.
How It Works
| Declension | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| first | puellam | puellas |
| second | amicum | amicos |
| second (neuter) | verbum | verba |
| third | regem | reges |
| fifth | rem | res |
A neuter noun has the same form in the nominative and the accusative. See neuter nominative and accusative.
If a verb has a noun subject and a noun object, find the subject first, then the word in the accusative is the object.
The accusative also shows where something is going, after ad and in, and how far or how long something goes. Those uses come at Levels 2 and 4.
In English only the pronouns show the object form: he sees me. In Latin every noun does.
Examples (4)
- Marcus librum legit.
Marcus reads a book.
Librum is accusative singular.
- Iulia amicos videt.
Iulia sees the friends.
Amicos is accusative plural.
- Puer rosam portat.
The boy carries a rose.
Rosam is accusative singular.
- Populus Deum laudat.
The people praise God.
Deum is accusative: God is the one praised.
Common Mistakes
Leaving the object in the nominative.
Iulia liber legit.Iulia librum legit.Liber is nominative, so it cannot be what Iulia reads. The object takes the accusative: librum.
How It Connects
Learn This First
The accusative is learned against the nominative, so the nominative comes first.
Related Patterns
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
- Dona nobis pacemGrant Us PeaceLevel 1
- Requiem aeternamEternal RestLevel 1
- Te Deum laudamusWe Praise You, O GodLevel 1
- The Verb Comes LastLevel 1
- Personal Pronouns: ego, tu, nos, vosI, You, We, You AllLevel 2
- The Genitive CaseLevel 2
- Prepositions That Take the AccusativeLevel 2
- Reported Statements: Marcum venireLevel 4
And 2 more in the full list.
Practice The Accusative Case in Bubblegum
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