To form the direct object plural of first declension masculine words like “nauta” use the ending – \u0101s :<\/p>\n
Spect\u014d\u00a0naut\u0101s<\/strong>\u00a0= I am watching the sailors<\/p>\n Now try translating these sentences :<\/p>\n (1) Stell\u0101s numerant<\/strong>. (numer\u0101re<\/strong> = to count. stella<\/strong> = star)<\/p>\n (2) Aedific\u0101tis cas\u0101s et schaph\u0101s<\/strong>.<\/p>\n (3)\u00a0Port\u0101s tabul\u0101s<\/strong>. (tabula<\/strong> = writing tablet)\u00a0<\/p>\n The answers are in brackets\u00a0:<\/p>\n (1) Stell\u0101s numerant<\/strong>. (numer\u0101re<\/strong> = to count. stella<\/strong> = star) [They are counting the stars]<\/p>\n (2) Aedific\u0101tis cas\u0101s et schaph\u0101s<\/strong>. [You all are building houses and boats]<\/p>\n (3)\u00a0Port\u0101s tabul\u0101s<\/strong>. (tabula<\/strong> = writing tablet)\u00a0[You are carrying writing tablets]<\/p>\n With the third sentence, how do you know which one is in the accusative (direct object)\u00a0plural? I mean, both of the words end in -\u0101s. The hint was given in parentheses. Tabula was labeled a noun, so you can safely assume that port\u0101s will be the verb. Also, port\u0101re was in a previous quiz, so you know that it means, “to carry”.<\/p>\n Just so you know, the -\u0101s ending will only work for those nouns that are in the first declension. Also, sentences like this :\u00a0”\u00a0Nautae sumus” = We are sailors will not have the noun “nauta” end in -\u0101s because there is no direct object here.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" To form the direct object plural of first declension masculine words like “nauta” use the ending – \u0101s : Spect\u014d\u00a0naut\u0101s\u00a0= I am watching the sailors Now try translating these sentences : (1) Stell\u0101s numerant. (numer\u0101re = to count. stella = star) (2) Aedific\u0101tis cas\u0101s et schaph\u0101s. (3)\u00a0Port\u0101s tabul\u0101s. (tabula = writing tablet)\u00a0 The answers are…<\/p>\n