Prepositions
A preposition
is a word that goes in front of a noun. The preposition does not decline, but it changes the case of the noun that follows it. Concentrate on learning words marked with an asterisk* first.
Most prepositions are followed by a noun in the accusative or the ablative case.
Some can be followed by a noun in either case, depending on their meaning.
Prepositions + accusative case
| ad* |
towards, to, for, at |
| ante* |
before |
| apud* |
at, by, near, to, towards |
| inter* |
among, between |
| iuxta* |
next to, near, according to |
| per* |
by, through, during |
| post* |
after |
Prepositions + ablative case
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| a (before a consonant)/ab (before a vowel) by, from |
| coram |
in the presence of, before |
| cum* |
with |
| de* |
from, concerning, of, for |
| e (before a consonant)/ex (before a vowel) from, out of |
| pre* |
before |
| pro* |
for, during, as far as, in accordance with, in return for |
| sine |
without |
Prepositions + either accusative or ablative case
| in* |
+ accusative |
into, onto |
+ ablative |
in, on |
| super* |
+ accusative |
over |
+ ablative |
upon |
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Prepositions which can take both cases use
- accusative to describe movement towards something
- ablative to describe the position of something which is static
| finis inter Mariam et Simonem de terris iuxta ecclesiam apud Westmonasterium |
Fine between Mary and Simon concerning the lands next to the church at Westminster |
finis, -is (m.) fine |
| domina tenet manerium de Westmonasterio cum pertinenciis de rege pro servicio de uno milite |
The lady holds the manor of Westminster with appurtenances of the king for the serviceservice of one knight |
pertinentia , -e (f.) appurtenance
servicium , -ii (n.) service |
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