Chapter 37 grammar

Ablative Absolutes

What is an Ablative Absolute?

• An ablative absolute is a time construction

• This is unique to Latin and not used in English

• There are two items included in an Ablative Absolute1. A noun in the Ablative

2. A participle in the Ablative

Perfect Participles

• A perfect passive participle denotes an action that happens prior to the main verb and agrees with its noun in case, number, and gender:

puer a puella visus ridet.

The boy, having been seen by the girl, laughs.

Perfect Participles in Ablative Absolutes

• puero viso, puella ridet.

• When the boy was seen, the girl laughs.

• Perfect Participles are always passive

• With a perfect participle, start the Ablative Absolute with when

• The subject of the Ablative Absolute can not be the subject of the main clause . . . EVER

When a perfect participle is used in an Ablative Absolute, the action is still happening prior to the main verb.

Present Participles

• A present active participle denotes an action that happens at the same time as the main verb and agrees with its noun in case, number, and gender:

puer puellam spectans ridet.

The boy, watching the girl, laughs.

Present Participles in Ablative Absolutes

• puero spectante, puella ridet.

• While the boy watches, the girl laughs.

• Present Participles are always active

• With a present participle, start the Ablative Absolute with while

• The subject of the Ablative Absolute can not be the subject of the main clause . . . EVER

When a present participle is used in an Ablative Absolute, the action is still happening at the same time as the main verb.