Ablative case

Grammatical case used in some languages

The ablative case is a grammatical case used in some languages to indicate various relationships between the noun it marks and other parts of the sentence. It is primarily used to express concepts such as "by", "with", "from", "in", and "at". The ablative case is found in Latin, Sanskrit, and several other languages.

Etymology

The term "ablative" comes from the Latin word ablativus, which means "carrying away". This reflects one of the primary functions of the ablative case, which is to indicate separation or movement away from something.

Functions

The ablative case serves several functions, which can vary depending on the language:

Separation

In many languages, the ablative case is used to express separation or movement away from something. For example, in Latin, the ablative case can indicate "from" or "away from" a place or object.

Instrumentality

The ablative case can also indicate the means or instrument by which an action is performed. This is often translated into English as "by" or "with". For example, in Latin, "gladio" (with a sword) uses the ablative case to show the instrument used.

Location

In some languages, the ablative case is used to indicate location or the place where an action occurs. This is similar to the locative case in other languages.

Time

The ablative case can also express time, indicating when an action takes place. For example, in Latin, "tertia hora" (at the third hour) uses the ablative to specify time.

Ablative in Latin

In Latin grammar, the ablative case is one of the six cases and is used extensively. It is often combined with prepositions to express various relationships, such as "in" (in), "cum" (with), and "ab" (from).

Ablative Absolute

One notable construction in Latin is the ablative absolute, which consists of a noun and a participle in the ablative case. This construction provides background information or sets the scene for the main action of the sentence.

Ablative in Other Languages

The ablative case is also present in other languages, such as Sanskrit, where it serves similar functions. In Finnish, the ablative case is used to indicate movement away from a surface or location.

Related pages

• Grammatical case
• Latin grammar
• Sanskrit grammar
• Instrumental case

Gallery

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  Illustration of the ablative case in Latin.