Chapter 14

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Concept Review

Chapter Fourteen introduces the I-stem nouns of the Third Declension. A majority of paradigms for the Third Declension I-stems are similar to those for the Third Declension nouns. There, however, are several exceptions. The first important step for learning the Third Declension I-stems is the identification.

Masculine and Feminine I-stems: The differences between Third Declension and Third Declension I-stems are relatively simple for masculine and feminine nouns. The only paradigm that is different is the Genitive Plural form. The Third Declension I-stem has -ium rather than the -um of the Third Declension nouns. For further references please refer to pages 89-90 or page 446 in your Wheelock textbook.

A. The first type of masculine and feminine I-stems are the parisyllabic. These are the masculine and femininie nouns ending in -is or -es that have the same/equal number of syllablles in both the Nominative and Genitive singular cases.

Examples:

nubes, nubis, f: cloud

civis, civis, m/f: citizen

auris, auris, m: ear

B. The second type of masculine and feminine I-stems are those that have a Nominative singular form that ends in either -s or -x. Most of these masculine and (mainly) feminine I-stem nouns end in two consonants and have monosyllabic Nominatives.

Examples:

urbs, urbis, f: cityars, artis, f: art, skill

nox, noctis, f: night

mors, mortis, f: death

Neuter I-stems: There are several differences between the Third Declension neuter nouns and the Third Declension I-stems neuter nouns. The Ablative Singular ends with an -i rather than an -e (non I-stems). The Nominative and Accusative Plural end with -ia rather than -a (non I-stems). The Genitive Plural ends with -ium rather than -um (non I-stems).

C. Neuter nouns that have a Nominative Singular form that in -ar, al, -e are I-stems.

Examples:

animal, animalis, n: animal

mare, maris, n: sea

Uses of the Ablative Case:

Ablative of Means or Instrument is the use of the Ablative case without a preposition. The Ablative of means indicates by what means or with what the action of the verb is accomplished. To translate an Ablative of means use by, by means of, or with.

Ablative of Accompaniment and Manner both use the Ablative case with the preposition cum. Ablative of Accompaniment is relatively self-explanatory and indicates with whom the action of the verb is performed. Ablative of Manner indicates how the action of the verb is performed. Remember both of these Ablatives use cum.

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