I Endings:

I -am, -as

II -um, -os / -a

III    -em/-im/-e,-al,-ar,-us -es,-is/-a

IV -um,-u -us,-ua

V -em, -es

II Uses with examples:

1. Direct object of a transitive verb: that which is directly affected or that which is caused or produced by the action of the verb.

2. Cognate Accusative: an intransitive verb often takes the accusative of a noun of kindred meaning, or the accusative of a neuter pronoun or adjective of indefinite reference.

vitam vivere "to live a life"

Refert tamen eventura soleas an contraria somniare. [I.18] "Nevertheless, it makes a difference whether you are accustomed to dream things that are about to take place or their opposites."

 

TWO ACCUSATIVES WITH ONE VERB

3. The Predicate Accusative refers to the same person or object as the direct object, but is not in apposition with it. This is found with verbs of choosing, making, esteeming, showing. If changed to the passive voice, this predicate accusative becomes the perdicate nominative.

... in quo Rusticum insectatur atque etiam Stoicorum simiam appellat. [I.5] {In the passive this would be ... Rusticus appellatur Stoicorum simia.}

4. Secondary Object

a. With compounds of transitive verbs, the secondary object was originally governed by the preposition of the compound [see A&G 395].

b. Verbs of asking, teaching, concealing may take two accusatives, one of the person [= direct object], one of the thing [= the secondary object]. In the passive, the secondary object remains accusative. [A&G 396]

5. Adverbial Uses of the Accusative

With interest and refert the degree of interest is expressed by an adverbial accusative.

Plurimum refert quid esse tribunatum putes... [I.23]

plurimum interest quid esse tribunatum putes... [I.23]

6. Accusative of Specification (Greek accusative or accusative of respect); accusative of the part affected.

Hoc tamen differunt... [I.4] "they differ in this respect"

7. Accusative of exclamation ["such expressions depend upon a long-forgotten verb" A&G 397d]

O rectam sinceramque vitam, o dulce otium honestumque ac paene omni negotio pulchrius.

8. Accusative as subject of an Infinitive: the subject of an infinitive is accusative; this construction is especially common after verbs of thinking, knowing, telling, perceiving, in indirect statement.

Consulis an existimem te in tribunatu causas agere debere. [I.23]

Ludere me putas? [I.11] "You think I'm kidding?"

Exclamatory Infinitive:

Bennet 334: "The infinitive is used in Exclamations implying scorn, indignation, or regret. An intensive -ne is often attached to some word in the clause."

V mene incepto desistere victam,

nec possse Italia Teucrorum avertere regem? (37-8)

mene Iliacis occumbere campis

non potuisse ... (97-8)

9. Accusative of Extent of Space, Duration of Time. In Silver Age Latin duration of time goes into the ablative.

V una cum gente tot annos / bella gero ... (47-8)

10. Place to which (=Terminal Accusative) with ad, in. With the names of towns and small islands and with domum and rus the preposition is omitted. In poetry the preposition is also often omitted.