1. Essentials at a Glance

The accusative case in Latin grammar signals the direct object of a verb and numerous other key functions—such as motion toward, duration of time, and the subject of an infinitive in indirect discourse. It is a linchpin for interpreting who receives an action or where and how long that action extends. Mastering the accusative clarifies sentence structure, aids fluent reading, and prevents misunderstandings in Latin texts.

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2. Definition & Importance

The accusative case in Latin grammar marks a noun or pronoun as the primary “target” of an action. While most learners encounter it first as the case of direct objects (e.g., Puella librum legit, “The girl reads a book”), the accusative also appears in phrases of motion toward (Romam īre), duration (multōs annōs vīxit), and indirect discourse (with the infinitive). Because it defines who or what is acted upon, the accusative plays a central role in Latin syntax, morphology, and reading comprehension. Understanding its forms and usages helps learners avoid common errors in Latin accusative and unlocks more advanced grammatical constructions.

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3. Forms & Morphology

Most Latin accusative forms end in -m for the singular and -s for the plural (with neuter nouns typically mirroring the nominative). Below is a concise overview:

Key Points:

• Neuter accusative = nominative (bellum, lītus, genū).
• Pronouns (e.g., mē, tē, sē, eum, eam, id) and adjectives have specific accusative forms often ending in -m or -s.
• Archaic endings (e.g., -īs for -ēs in 3rd decl. plurals) sometimes appear in poetry.

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4. Usage & Examples

Core Uses:

1. Direct Object: Brūtus Caesarem interfēcit (“Brutus killed Caesar”).
2. Motion Toward (with or without prepositions): Rōmam mīsit (“He sent [envoys] to Rome”).
3. Duration/Extent: Multōs annōs rēgnāvit (“He ruled for many years”).
4. Indirect Discourse (subject of an infinitive): Dīcit Catilīnam coniūrāre (“He says that Catiline is plotting”).

Latin Accusative Examples (classical citations):

1. Puella librum legit.
   • Translation: “The girl reads a book.”
   • Accusative: librum (direct object).
2. Legātī Rōmam missī sunt.
   • Translation: “Envoys were sent to Rome.”
   • Accusative: Rōmam (place to which, no preposition needed for city names).
3. Multōs annōs vīxit.
   • Translation: “He lived for many years.”
   • Accusative: multōs annōs (duration of time).
4. Dīcit Cicerōnem cōnsulem factum esse.
   • Translation: “He says that Cicero was made consul.”
   • Accusative: Cicerōnem (subject of the infinitive factum esse).
5. O tempora, o mōrēs! (Cicero)
   • Translation: “Oh, the times, oh, the morals!”
   • Accusative: tempora, mōrēs (exclamatory use).

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5. Common Pitfalls

• Mixing up Duration and Direct Object: Translating multās hōrās labōrat as “he works many hours [as an object]” rather than “he works for many hours.”
• Double Accusative Confusion: Verbs like rogō, doceō can take two accusatives. Learners may mistakenly use a dative or fail to recognize that one accusative is a person, the other a thing.
• Accusative vs. Ablative of Respect: In poetry, an accusative might show respect (caput nectentur olīvā), which can be confused with the ablative of respect.
• Forgetting the Supine: Accusative supines (e.g., pācem petītum) are easy to misread as infinitives.
• Indirect Discourse Misinterpretations: Not spotting an accusative subject of an infinitive often leads to incorrect translations of reported statements.

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6. Additional Notes & Nuances

1. Cognate Accusative: Reinforces the verb meaning (pugnam pugnāre, “to fight a fight”). Poets often use adjectives for emphasis (e.g., dulcem somnum dormīre, “to sleep a sweet sleep”).
2. Accusative of Exclamation: Ō mē miserum! places the feeling on “me,” not as a direct address but as a lamentation.
3. Historical Roots: The term accūsātīvus is a misnomer from Greek aitiatikē (“case of cause/effect”). Ancient grammarians like Varro recognized its wide scope well beyond “accusation.”
4. Variations in Passive Constructions: In double-accusative verbs, passivizing can shift one object into the subject or an ablative. Usage differs across authors.
5. Poetic License: Accusative forms or endings may deviate in verse (like -īs in 3rd decl. plurals). Context helps clarify meaning.

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7. Key Takeaways

• Memorize Accusative Forms: Especially the standard endings and pronoun forms to identify objects quickly.
• Check Verb Meaning: Some verbs (e.g., rogō) take two accusatives; others require ad + accusative.
• Mind Special Constructions: Be on the lookout for accusatives of duration (multōs annōs), place to which (Rōmam), and exclamation (Ō mē miserum!).
• Indirect Discourse: Recognize that an accusative subject + infinitive can be the object of “saying, thinking, perceiving.”
• Context Is Key: The accusative can act adverbially (extent or respect). Always read around the verb and modifiers.