Editing: Double Accusative in Latin

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# 1. Essentials at a Glance
The **Double Accusative** in Latin grammar occurs when a single verb governs two objects in the accusative case. It most commonly appears with verbs of **teaching, asking, making, calling**, or similar “factitive” verbs. One accusative is typically a person or primary object; the other is a complement or thing. Mastering this usage refines your understanding of **Latin syntax** and offers crucial insight into accurate translation and nuanced reading comprehension.

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# 2. Definition & Importance
A **Double Accusative** arises when a Latin verb takes **two accusative objects** simultaneously. Common verbs include *docēre* (“teach”), *rogāre* (“ask”), and *facere* (“make” or “appoint”). This construction is central to **Latin sentence structure** since it highlights how certain verbs can express both a **person** and a **thing** or **complement** without resorting to an indirect object. Mastering the **Double Accusative in Latin grammar** improves reading fluency, clarifies clause relationships, and helps avoid **common errors in double accusative** usage.

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# 3. Forms & Morphology
Below is a brief table illustrating common endings for the **double accusative** in the singular forms of the first two declensions. Note that both objects simply appear in the standard accusative case:

| Declension | Singular Accusative (Masc./Fem.) | Singular Accusative (Neut.) |
|------------|----------------------------------|----------------------------|
| 1st        | -am                              | *(n/a for neuter)*         |
| 2nd        | -um                              | -um                        |

- **No special or unique accusative ending** exists just for the double accusative.  
- Each accusative noun (or pronoun) declines according to its own declension and gender.  
- Predicative adjectives or nouns (e.g. *mē hērēdem fēcit*) also agree in case (accusative) with the object they describe.

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# 4. Usage & Examples
1. **Tē litterās doceō**  
   *I teach you letters.*  
   - *docēre* can govern both “you” (the person taught) and “letters” (the content).

2. **Mē hērēdem fēcit**  
   *He made me heir.*  
   - The verb *fēcit* takes two accusatives: *mē* (the person changed) and *hērēdem* (the new status).

3. **Tē sententiam rogō**  
   *I ask you (for) your opinion.*  
   - *rogāre* commonly takes the person and the thing asked for, both in the accusative.

4. **Urbem Rōmam vocāvit**  
   *He called the city Rome.*  
   - One accusative is *urbem* (the entity named), the other is *Rōmam* (the new name).

5. **Nōn tē cēlāvī sermōnem**  
   *I did not hide the conversation from you.*  
   - *cēlāre* can take both a person (the one left uninformed) and a thing (the concealed fact).

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# 5. Common Pitfalls
- **Forgetting which verbs** allow the double accusative (e.g., *docēre*, *rogāre*, *vocāre*, *facere*); many other verbs require prepositions or different cases.  
- Mixing up **dative vs. accusative**: some verbs (e.g., *dō*, *dīcō*) take a dative for the person instead.  
- Confusion in **passive voice**: one accusative may “remain” in the accusative as a retained object, so identify carefully which accusative becomes the subject.

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# 6. Additional Notes & Nuances
In **passive transformations**, Latin can make either the person or the thing the subject. For example, *tū litterās docēris* (“you are taught letters”) keeps *litterās* in the accusative. Poetic texts sometimes stretch these rules, such as using *lateō* with an accusative of person. Historian prose (e.g., Cicero, Livy) often employs a retained accusative in passive clauses, showing the construction’s versatility across genres.

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# 7. Key Takeaways
- **Memorize key verbs** (e.g., *docēre*, *rogāre*, *facere*, *vocāre*) that typically accept two accusatives.  
- **Context determines roles**: one accusative often identifies a person, the other an object or predicate.  
- **Check passive clauses**: either object can become the subject, and the other may remain accusative.  
- **Avoid confusion** with indirect objects: many verbs require dative or a preposition instead of a second accusative.

Document Structure

H11. Essentials at a Glance
H12. Definition & Importance
H13. Forms & Morphology
H14. Usage & Examples
H15. Common Pitfalls
H16. Additional Notes & Nuances
H17. Key Takeaways

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