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Participles are VERBAL ADJECTIVES; that is, they are adjectives derived from verbs. Because they are adjectives, they change their GENDER, NUMBER, and CASE in order to match the noun they are modifying. Because they are derived from verbs, they have TENSE and VOICE.
Participles are VERBAL ADJECTIVES; that is, they are adjectives derived from verbs. Because they are adjectives, they change their GENDER, NUMBER, and CASE in order to match the noun they are modifying. Because they are derived from verbs, they have TENSE and VOICE.
In English, we usually add ‘-ing’ to the verb to make a present participle and ‘-ed’ to a verb to make a past participle. Many past participles can often appear with the helping verb “having/having been”.
In English, we usually add ‘-ing’ to the verb to make a present participle and ‘-ed’ to a verb to make a past participle. Many past participles can often appear with the helping verb “having/having been”.
a verb that ends in ‘-ing’ or ‘-ed’ is NOT AUTOMATICALLY a participle.
It is ONLY a participle if it functions as an adjective (describing a noun).
a verb that ends in ‘-ing’ or ‘-ed’ is NOT AUTOMATICALLY a participle.
It is ONLY a participle if it functions as an adjective (describing a noun).
Participles are used far more frequently and robustly in Latin than in English.
Participles are used far more frequently and robustly in Latin than in English.
Participles can function as simple adjectives…
I ran away from the barking dog. The player avoided the thrown ball
In these instances, the participles typically appears IN FRONT OF the noun it modifies.
Participles can take direct objects or be modified by prepositional phrases, creating PARTICIPIAL PHRASES…
I ran away from the dog, barking loudly at me. The player avoided the ball, (having been) thrown by the rookie pitcher.
In these instances, the participial phrase is marked off with commas.
Finally, Participles can function as substantive adjectives; that is, they serve as both NOUN and ADJECTIVE.
The defeated surrendered on the field = the defeated (men/people/army)
This is a phenomenon that doesn’t often occur with the present participle in English, but is very common in Latin.
Latin has four Participial forms:
PRESENT ACTIVE PERFECT PASSIVE FUTURE ACTIVE FUTURE PASSIVE
Latin has four Participial forms:
PRESENT ACTIVE PERFECT PASSIVE FUTURE ACTIVE FUTURE PASSIVE
Snapshot
Snapshot
The Present Active Participle
The Present Active Participle
The PAP describes what a particular noun is doing at the same time as the main action of the sentence.
The PAP describes what a particular noun is doing at the same time as the main action of the sentence.
In English, it is best translated by adding "-ing" to the basic definition of the verb (running, laughing)
In English, it is best translated by adding "-ing" to the basic definition of the verb (running, laughing)
The PAP is formed by removing the "re" from the 2nd principal part. Then, add "-ns" for the nominative singular (all genders). The genitive singular is "-ntis" and PAPs decline using 3rd declension adjective endings
The PAP is formed by removing the "re" from the 2nd principal part. Then, add "-ns" for the nominative singular (all genders). The genitive singular is "-ntis" and PAPs decline using 3rd declension adjective endings
PAP Deponents
PAP Deponents
PAP Irregulars
PAP Irregulars
Because deponents have passive forms, but translate actively, their PPP translates as "having verbed"
The Perfect Passive Participle
The Perfect Passive Participle
The PPP describes what happened to a noun before the main action of the sentence.
The PPP describes what happened to a noun before the main action of the sentence.
In English is it best translated as "having been ______ed", sometimes the "having been" can be dropped (having been seen, broken, having been defeated).
In English is it best translated as "having been ______ed", sometimes the "having been" can be dropped (having been seen, broken, having been defeated).
The PPP is the fourth principal part of a verb. It takes the endings of 1st & 2nd declension adjectives.
The PPP is the fourth principal part of a verb. It takes the endings of 1st & 2nd declension adjectives.
The Future Active Participle
The Future Active Participle
The FAP describes what a particular noun will do after the main action of the sentence.
The FAP describes what a particular noun will do after the main action of the sentence.
In English, it is best translated as "about to __________".
In English, it is best translated as "about to __________".
The FAP is formed by inserting "-ur-" between the stem and the adjective ending of the fourth principal part. It takes the endings of 1st & 2nd declension adjectives.
The FAP is formed by inserting "-ur-" between the stem and the adjective ending of the fourth principal part. It takes the endings of 1st & 2nd declension adjectives.
The Future Active Participle
The Future Active Participle
The FPP describes what will be done to a particular noun after the main action of the sentence.
The FPP describes what will be done to a particular noun after the main action of the sentence.
In English, it is best translated as "(about) to be __________ed". It is also known as the GERUNDIVE.
In English, it is best translated as "(about) to be __________ed". It is also known as the GERUNDIVE.
The FPP is formed by adding "ndus, -a, -um" to the present stem (2nd pp, -"re"). It takes the endings of 1st & 2nd declension adjectives.
The FPP is formed by adding "ndus, -a, -um" to the present stem (2nd pp, -"re"). It takes the endings of 1st & 2nd declension adjectives.
Ablative Absolutes
Ablative Absolutes
One of the most common uses of present and perfect participles in Latin is a construction called the Ablative Absolute.
One of the most common uses of present and perfect participles in Latin is a construction called the Ablative Absolute.
The ablatives of a participle and a noun (or pronoun) are used to form a substitute for a subordinate clause defining the circumstances or situation in which the action of the main verb occurs. The ablatives are only loosely connected grammatically to the remainder of the sentence, hence its name absolute (absolūtus = free or unconnected).
The ablatives of a participle and a noun (or pronoun) are used to form a substitute for a subordinate clause defining the circumstances or situation in which the action of the main verb occurs. The ablatives are only loosely connected grammatically to the remainder of the sentence, hence its name absolute (absolūtus = free or unconnected).
Leōne adveniente, fēmina discēssit.
With the lion approaching, the woman left. (PAP)
Leōne adveniente, fēmina discēssit.
With the lion approaching, the woman left. (PAP)
Hīs verbīs dictīs, Caesar discēdit.
With these word having been said, Caesar departs. (PPP)
Hīs verbīs dictīs, Caesar discēdit.
With these word having been said, Caesar departs. (PPP)
The most basic way of translating an ablative absolute consists of introducing the clause with the English preposition "with" (for the ablative), followed by the noun in the ablative case and then the participle translated to reflect its Tense and Voice.
The most basic way of translating an ablative absolute consists of introducing the clause with the English preposition "with" (for the ablative), followed by the noun in the ablative case and then the participle translated to reflect its Tense and Voice.
On occasion, another noun may take the place of the participle in the Ablative Absolute construction:
On occasion, another noun may take the place of the participle in the Ablative Absolute construction:
Caesare duce vincēmus.
With Caesar as leader, we shall conquer.
Caesare duce vincēmus.
With Caesar as leader, we shall conquer.
Note: The noun (or pronoun) expressed in the Ablative Absolute is never the subject of the sentence. If we wish to say “When she was departing, the woman saw the lion,” we cannot use the Ablative Absolute, because the subject of each clause (“she” and “woman”) is the same. Instead, a simple participle is used: Fēmina discēdēns leōnem vīdit.
Because the participle in an Ablative Absolute retains its verbal force, it may govern its own direct object:
Because the participle in an Ablative Absolute retains its verbal force, it may govern its own direct object:
Duce militēs vocante, hostes fūgērunt. With the general calling his soldiers, the enemy fled.
Duce militēs vocante, hostes fūgērunt. With the general calling his soldiers, the enemy fled.
Better translations (Level 2)
Better translations (Level 2)
Because Ablative Absolutes describe a relationship between the main action and the participial phrase, they can be translated as subordinate clauses. In these instances, the translator must decide the relationship and choose one of the following subordinate conjunctions: When, While, Since, Because, Although, et al. The Ablative Noun becomes the subject and the participle is translated into a verb. Its VOICE is preserved, but its tense is translated to reflect the relationship with the MAIN VERB.
Because Ablative Absolutes describe a relationship between the main action and the participial phrase, they can be translated as subordinate clauses. In these instances, the translator must decide the relationship and choose one of the following subordinate conjunctions: When, While, Since, Because, Although, et al. The Ablative Noun becomes the subject and the participle is translated into a verb. Its VOICE is preserved, but its tense is translated to reflect the relationship with the MAIN VERB.
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