Latin

This is an elementary Latin course accompanied with a detailed grammar based upon Kennedy's Public School Latin Grammar designed to introduce one to the world of classical languages. A basic understanding of grammatical terminology would be helpful; however, it is not required. Basic definitions of terms will be explained in Lessons 1 and 2, and later elaborated as needed.

For detailed explanations and examples of English grammatical terms, please consult the English Grammar textbook. However, Latin grammar is quite different from that of English, and thus it requires different grammatical terms to explain the concepts. These will be taught as needed.

Preface

The latin poet Horace recites his verses.

This book will attempt to teach the reader about Latin from the ground up. Please read the Introduction to the origins and structure of Latin carefully, as it introduces the concept of a stem. As is typical in many other languages, the infinitive stem (present tense, active voice) is used for conjugating verbs. [The introduction of additional information in parentheses is done simply to avoid confusing a student who has already had exposure to Latin.]

Advice

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• Nouns should be given in the nominative and genitive singular following the standard practice of Latin dictionaries. If it is necessary to indicate the case of the declension then the abbreviations "nom." and "gen." may be used. Different pages may use their own layout rules, but they should be left-justified and clear to the student.

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A Progressive Latin Grammar and Exercises

Introduction to the origins and structure of Latin

1. How to study a language on the Internet and in your head
2. Special consideration: How to use a Wikibook when progress may mean inaccuracy
3. Grammatical Introduction to Latin The origin and structure of Latin
4. Basic Grammar Grammatical introduction.

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Bust of Cato the Elder

Chapter 1: Basic Sentences

1. The Nominative Case Create basic Latin sentences, with adjectives and the verb "to be"
2. Adjectives A short introduction to adjectives
3. Present indicative active construct An introduction to verbs, and the present tense of regular verbs.
4. Adverbs & Prepositions More on adjectives, and an overview of adverbs and prepositions.
5. The Accusative Case Learn to create sentences with transitive verbs.
6. Pronouns Summary of Pronouns
7. Chapter 1 Verse

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Chapter 2: Complex Sentences

1. The Imperfect Tense The imperfect tense, working in the past.
2. The Genitive and Dative Cases Indicate indirect objects and possession.
3. The Future Tense Verbs in the Future
4. The Ablative and Vocative Case Indicate an ablative construct / directly address someone
5. The 3rd, 4th and 5th declensions All remaining categories of nouns
6. Irregular Verbs & Revision Review of all five declensions and the conjugation of present imperfect indicative active verbs.
7. Translation Exercise Translate a passage.
8. Imperfect and Future indicative active constructs
9. Chapter 2 Verse

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Bust of Gaius Julius Caesar

Chapter 3: Advanced Sentences

1. Imperatives Ordering or Telling People What to Do.
2. Active vs. Passive Verbs
3. Indicative Passive Verbs Present, imperfect, and future passives.
4. Principal Parts Principal verb parts and verb conjugation.
5. The Perfect Indicative Tense The uses and formation of the perfect indicative tense.
6. The Perfect Indicative Passive Verbs Use the perfect with the passives.
7. Future and Past Perfect Indicative Tenses
8. Ablative Absolute and Accusative Infinitive Constructions
9. Chapter 3 Verse

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Chapter 4: The Subjunctive Mood and Complex Sentences

1. The Subjunctive Mood Subjunctive vs. Indicative moods, conjugate the Subjunctive present.
2. The Uses of the Subjunctive
3. The Subjunctive Imperfect Conjugation and uses of the imperfect subjunctive.
4. The Subjunctive Passive Verbs Conjugate the present and imperfect subjunctives.
5. The Subjunctive Perfects The perfect endings for the Subjunctive.
6. The Subjunctive Perfect Passive Verbs Perfect auxiliary verbs for the subjunctive passives.
7. The Gerund and Participles Verbal Nouns.
8. Conditional Clauses Conditional sentences in the indicative and subjunctive mood
9. Revision Review of all five declensions and the conjugation of the active subjunctive verbs.
10. Idioms An overview of idiomatic phrases used in Latin.
11. Translation Translate a passage from the Vulgate Bible.
12. Chapter 4 Verse
13. Verse from the Gospels

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Bust of poet Catullus

Chapter 5: Review

1. Revision Review of all five noun and adjective declensions.
2. Revision Revise work on all verb conjugations and learned forms.
3. Translation Translate a passage from Catullus.
4. Exercises Review of subjunctive forms.
5. Exercises Review of passive forms.
6. Translation
7. Revision Ideas and memory tools for language patterns in conjugation and declining.
8. Chapter 5 Verse
9. Poem about Latin

Spoken Latin

An episode from a Latin podcast

A recitation of the German speaker

This is a test chapter to teach those who wish to learn Latin which they can use in their daily lives.

1. Spoken Latin Wikibook

Appendices

Horace, Virgil and Varius at the house of Maecenas

Verb Synopsis

List of Declensions

Phonology of Latin (pronunciation)

Accents and Scansion

Morphology of Latin

Ecclesiastical & Medieval Latin

Latin Grammatical Definitions

Latin Dictionary

Latin Mottos and Phrases (used nowadays)

Latin Abbreviations (used nowadays)

Common phrases

Latin Resources

Library of Graded Latin Texts for Translation

Spoken Latin

Words and their Flexion

Prefixes and Suffixes

Stylistic Features of Latin Verse and Prose

About the Book

1. Authors

Please leave ideas for additional chapters on the talk page.

See also

Cultural insights in other wiki books / wiki articles.

• Summary of Roman History (Empire)
• Roman Culture
• Culture of ancient Rome

External links

• Latin for Beginners An excellent textbook for beginners available for free, by B. L. D'Ooge, with the Answer Key here on Wikibooks.
• Whitaker's Words Whitaker's Words is a Latin dictionary DOS program and is available for free. William A. Whitaker (1936–2010) was a colonel in the United States Air Force.
• A Latin Grammar for Schools and Colleges A valuable Latin grammar reference available for free, by Albert Harkness.