Latin phrase constructions

Latin Phrase Constructions

In order to compose a Latin text, it is essential to understand the larger syntax behind the sentence. It helps also with translation since the syntactic constructions of Latin, just as of French, German or any modern language, aren’t always those of English.

Comparison

Comparisons are dependent clauses that describe the second term of a comparison.

Tam tu illum uidere ingenuum potes quam ille te serum. (“You can see him a slave as well as you can see yourself (that way).”)

The comparative makes either an identity (or likeness) or a difference stand out: the same as, in the same way as, as well as, just as, other than. The most important conjunctions in drafting a comparative are:

ut (as)

sicut (thus as, cf. sic)

uelut (just as)

quemadmodum (in the same way as)

talis (... qualis) (just as ... so)

These are often echoed or reprised in the main clause or phrase by adverbs likes:

ita (therefore)

sic (so)

(talis ...) qualis (just as ... so)

Ut sementem facies, ita metes (As you sow, so shall you reap)

Quemadmodum stultus est Clœlia, sic stultissimus est Gaius. (Just as Clœlia is stupid, so Gaius is totally stupid.)

Talis est filius qualis pater est (Just as is the father, so is the son: the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.)

Comparison expresses also aspects of inferiority, superiority or equality using primarily quam as the subordinating conjunction. Comparative forms of adjectives and adverbs are used. Some of these constructions begin to join with modern English.

tam ... quam (as ... as)

Nulla seruitus turpior est quam uoluntaris (No servitude is more degrading than voluntary servitude.)

Paulus minus doctus est quam Petrus. (Paul is less brilliant than Peter.)

Petrus tam doctus est quam Paulus. (Peter is as bright as Paul.)

(See also the example at the top of this section: Tam tu illum uidere...)

Also, subordinating adjectives like:

quantus, a, um (as great as)

quot (as many ... as)

Tantum gaudium mihi est quantus dolor antea fuit. (My joy is as great as was my sorrow.)

Tot amici mihi sunt quot inimici. (I have as many friends as enemies.)

Something else you notice in the Latin examples: Latin makes use of ellipses as much as does English. The last example “should” have been:

Tot amici mihi sunt quot inimici sunt.

Correlation

Completion

Concession

Conditional

Consecutive

The Infinitive Clause

This is covered here.

The Ablative Absolute

Some complements in the ablative can be translated by a full clause. Here are some examples:

me puero (“me child”, meaning when I was a child)

te auctore (“thee instigator”, at your instigation)

These complements are termed ablative absolutes. Such constructions can express time when, cause, manner, concession and condition. Their construction can be two juxtaposed nouns or a nound and a pronoun, or a noun or pronoun plus an adjective (all agreeing in the ablative).

Cicerone consule (in the time of Cicero’s consulate—time when)

natura duce (according to nature—manner)

uiuo Augusto (in the time of Augustus—time when)

incolumi ciuitate (because the city has been saved—cause)

Cicerone inuito (against Cicero’s wishes—manner)

This construction really takes off when a participle is involved in which case it consists of a noun or prounoun (in the ablative case) and a present or perfect participle agreeing with the first component. Sometimes this participle, as a verb, comes with its own host of complements.

Cenante eo, bos irrupit. (While he was dining, a bull crashed in.)

Fugatis ministris, bos procidit. (Once the servants had been frightened away, the bull slipped.)

Decusso iugo (Having shaken off his yoke...)

Vita non iucunda est, sablata amicitia. (Life is no longer pleasant once friendship has been taken away.)

Partibus factis, uerba fecit leo. (Once things he finished meting out pieces, the lion spoke.)

Note that in the present, the particple denotes simultaneity, but a perfect particle expresses an act completed in the past.