In virtute sunt multi ascensus.
In excellence there are many degrees.  -- Cicero

SUM! 
ABLATIVE OF 
PLACE WHERE! 
QUESTIONS!

by Deanna Vatan

Introduction   |     Task    |    Process    |     Resources     |   Evaluation      |    Conclusion

Introduction

Salvete!  Often times the verb sum can leave Latin students frustrated and confused.  First of all, the conjugation is an irregular one.  Secondly, it has many exceptions in its use.  The same frustration can be said for Ablative of Place Where and Questions.

Sum, Ablative of Place Where, and Questions do not have to be the end of you!  If the Ancient Roman people were able to grasp an understanding of these grammatical structures then you can too!  With a little practice you'll be able to use them as easily as you can say "I am.   You are.  He, She, It is!"

The Task

In this lesson you will learn the conjugation of the verb sum.   You will also learn about the Ablative of Place Where as well as the use of Questions.  Finally, you will put your recent knowledge of all three topics to use.

The Process

Follow these steps:

1. First you will study the table below that spells out the conjugation of sum in the present tense.
2. To test your knowledge, you will then print out the table found on the sum practice page and you will fill in the blanks.
3. You will then jump back to this main page and read through explanations of Ablative of Place Where and Questions.
4. Next, you will jump to another page, which you will print out.  This page will offer practice sentences on sum, Ablative of Place Where, and Questions.
5. Finally, I would like you to write your own dialogue using sentences that include usage of the three topics discussed in this web lesson.  Please refer to Chapters 1-4 of your textbook for vocabulary words.  YOUR DIALOGUE MUST BE AT LEAST 10 LINES LONG AND INCLUDE AT LEAST 2 USES OF EACH TOPIC (Sum, Ablative of Place Where, Questions)!

The verb "sum"

Would you like to hear a pronunciation of the present tense of sum?  Click here!

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Ablative of Place Where

Location on or in is shown by the ablative case with the preposition in.

                For Example:
                 In silva est.                He is in the forest.
                 In insula pugnamus.    We are fighting on the island.

            ***To hear pronunciation of the sentences click on them!**

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Questions

To turn a statement into a question which has a yes or no answer, add the enclitic -ne to the first word.

                For Example:
                 Galliane est provincia?    Is Gaul a province?

If the question is introduced by an interrogative pronoun, adjective, or adverb, -ne is not used.

               For Example:
                Quid puellae spectant?    What are the girls looking at?

  ***To hear pronunciation of the sentences click on them!**

It is time for some practice!

Resources

Take a look at some of these resources.  You might just find them helpful!

• Try latin.about.com.  This site offers a great deal of help and explanation for just about every aspect of the Latin language.  This link will bring you straight to the sites resources on verbs.
• Want to jump ahead?  Go to Teacher Notes and check out the other tenses of "sum" in the Indicative.
• You can always refer back to your textbook.

Evaluation

Grades will be awarded based on your translations, the completion of the sum table, and the dialogue.

Conclusion

As I mentioned earlier, sum can be intimidating.  By the time you reach this section of the lesson I hope you have a better appreciation of the irregular verb as well as Ablative of Place Where and Questions. All three are integral components of the Ancient Roman language.  You now have a foundation for all three grammatical situations.  This will be extremely useful in future lessons and translations.  Valete!

Created by:  Deanna Vatan
School:  Pace University
Subject:  Latin  Level:  I
Standards Addressed:  Awareness and use of grammar
Date:  September 25, 2000
Email:  dvatan@pace.edu