1. Essentials at a Glance

In Latin grammar, the predicate accusative (sometimes called an object complement) is an accusative-case noun or adjective that renames or describes the direct object of certain verbs. Commonly seen with verbs like “call,” “elect,” or “consider,” it conveys what the object is made, called, or thought to be. This construction is vital for expressing changes of state or role succinctly in Latin sentences.

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2. Definition & Importance

The predicate accusative in Latin grammar is a special double-accusative construction where a single verb governs two accusatives: the direct object and a second accusative that complements it. Often found with verbs of naming, making, choosing, or considering, this usage is central to Latin syntax and morphology. Mastering it eliminates common errors in Latin predicate accusatives and greatly improves reading comprehension, especially in classical and historical texts.

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3. Forms & Morphology

• A predicate accusative takes standard accusative endings, matching the object it modifies or renames.
• Adjectives used as predicate complements agree with the object in gender, number, and case (accusative).
• Nouns in a predicate accusative simply appear in the accusative form (e.g., consulem, regem).

Below is a short table illustrating accusative forms (2nd decl. masculine and 1st decl. feminine) often seen as objects or predicate complements:

Note: The actual form depends on the declension of the word used as a predicate accusative.

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4. Usage & Examples

When certain verbs (e.g., appellō, faciō, creō, putō) take an object, they can also take a predicate accusative describing that object. Below are Latin predicate accusative examples:

1. Cicerōnem cōnsulem creāvērunt.
   Translation: “They elected Cicero consul.”
   Explanation: Cicerōnem is the direct object; cōnsulem is the predicate accusative showing what Cicero was made.

2. Mē augurem nōmināvērunt.
   Translation: “They named me augur.”
   Explanation: Mē is the object, augurem renames it under the verb nōmināvērunt.

3. Hominem prae sē nēminem putāvit.
   Translation: “He thought nobody a man compared to himself.”
   Explanation: nēminem is the object, hominem is the complement, both accusative.

4. Ducem sē praebuit.
   Translation: “He showed himself a leader.”
   Explanation: sē is object (reflexive), ducem is the predicate accusative describing him.

5. Populus eum rēgem appellāvit.
   Translation: “The people called him king.”
   Explanation: eum is the object, rēgem states the title given.

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5. Common Pitfalls

• Confusing apposition with the predicate accusative: e.g., urbem Carthāginem (appositive) vs. Cicerōnem cōnsulem (predicate).
• Dropping esse incorrectly: some verbs require accusative + infinitive (indirect statement) rather than a bare double accusative.
• Misusing case in the passive: in the passive voice, the former predicate accusative becomes a predicate nominative (Ille cōnsul factus est).

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6. Additional Notes & Nuances

Latin uses the predicate accusative primarily with verbs of naming, choosing, appointing, making, or considering. In passive constructions, the complement typically switches to the nominative. Some verbs (like reddō or efficiō) rarely appear in the passive with this construction due to idiomatic constraints. Additionally, habēre can function like “consider,” giving a second accusative that describes how someone or something is regarded.

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7. Key Takeaways

• Identify the right verbs: making, naming, considering, appointing, etc.
• Match adjectives in accusative case to the direct object.
• Change predicate accusatives to predicate nominatives in the passive.
• Avoid mixing this construction with accusative + infinitive.
• Check for potential ambiguity when multiple accusatives appear together.