Forming the Dative Case of First Declension Nouns


So far we have learned to form and recognize the nominative case, both singular and plural, the genitive singular case of first declension nouns.  the accusative case, and to use prepositions with that case and the ablatiive singular and plural, and to use various prepositions with the ablative. Now we shall learn how to form the dative case, both singular and plural. But first a few questions. 

What case is used for the subject of a Latin sentence?  (one word, lower case) 
What case and number (singular or plural) is used to determine what declension a Latin word is in? (two words, lower case) 
What is the ending you remove from this particular form to get the root or stem of the nouns?(just give letters of ending) 
Consider the word biga, bigae f. , (= chariot [technically a two horse chariot]). What is the root or stem of this noun? 
Give the accusative singular of biga
Give the accusative plural of biga
Give the ablative singular of biga
Give the ablative plural of biga
Consider the word casa, casae (= hut, cottage). What is the stem or root of this noun?
Give the accusative singular of casa
Give the accusative plural of casa
Give the ablative singular of casa
Give the ablative plural of casa

Once you have found the stem or root of the first declension noun, you add -ae to form the dative singular (yes, the dative and the gentive singular look the same and -is to form the dative plural (yes, the dative and ablative plural look the same!) . Thus (these words are also in our new vocabulary):

Nominative
singular
Genitive 
singular
Meaning Dative 
singular.
Dative 
plural.
chorea choreae dance choreae choreis
colonia coloniae colony coloniae coloniis
fossa fossae ditch, trench fossae fossis

Here are some more new vocabulary words. See if you can create their
dative singular and plural forms. When you have typed the two forms
in the spaces indicated, click button to check your answers.
 

Nominative, 
Genitive singular
Definition Dative 
singular
Dative 
plural
 
lana, lanae f.  wool
luna, lunae f. moon
mensa, mensae f. table
mora, morae f. delay
olea, oleae f.  olive
philosophia, philosophiae f. philosophy
scientia, scientiae f.  knowledge, wisdom
scala, scalae f.  ladder, stairs
toga, togae f.  toga (a formal 
Roman garment)
Dolabella, Dolabellae m.  Dolabella 
(a man's name)
       



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