Chapter 2 Grammar

Question 1

How to find the base of a noun?

Answer 1

drop the genitive singular ending

(which is the 2nd provided in the dictionary listing)

[ex: porta, portae, f. -> base: port-]

Question 2

How to find the base of an adjective?

Answer 2

drop the feminine ending

(dictionary provides masc., fem., neut.)

[ex: magnus, magna, magnum -> base: magn-]

Question 3

First Declension: endings for nouns and adj.

Answer 3

Singular:

• -a
• -ae
• -ae
• -am
• (Abl.) -ā
• (Voc.) -a

Plural:

• -ae
• -ārum
• -īs
• ās
• (Abl) -īs
• (Voc) -ae

Question 4

First declension: what gender?

Answer 4

First declension nouns are usually feminine.

There are some exceptions: e.g. nouns denoting traditionally “male” professions (poēta, nauta, agricola)

NOTE: most second declension nouns are masculine or neuter

Question 5

Adjectives, Agreement, and Word Order

Answer 5

• adjectives are declined like nouns
• adjectives agree with the noun they modify in gender, case, and number