Prepositions: case and relation together
Learn this complete reference set, recall meanings and construction clues, then apply the grammar in original short practice.
Exam scope and assessment notes
Original teaching foundations for the 2026–2028 syllabus. Six prescribed texts have passage-specific sequences; all 693 printed vocabulary rows have been reconciled into 692 distinct records, with additional number, comparison and compound-verb practice. Linked teaching and lexical self-checks do not certify mastery. Complete line-by-line annotation, further translation and scansion practice, qualified Latin-teacher review, full timed papers and human marking remain outstanding. Open the assigned edition alongside these lessons: public ancient texts can differ in spelling, punctuation or editorial readings from the prescribed prose anthology. Practice explanations are formative, not Cambridge questions, marks or predicted grades. Cambridge has announced withdrawal; the last assessment is June 2028, in administrative zones 3, 4, 5 and 6 only. Confirm entry with your centre.
Before you begin
- Identify noun, verb and clause roles
- Recall the whole dictionary record rather than only its first spelling
Work on paper. Try each question before revealing help, and explain why your method works.
Quick readiness check
What does a dictionary meaning fail to establish on its own?
What you will learn
- Recall all listed preposition records with their governed case
- Distinguish destination, location, source, means and personal agent
Read the form, recall the meaning, then check the construction
Use the reference list to learn, then hide the meanings in recall practice. The usage note explains a grammatical clue or limit. Self-check labels do not award a grade or certify mastery.
25 of 25 entries shown · 0 marked for another review in this practice
a (ab) + abl.Preposition
by, from
With the ablative, this can mark source or personal agent. Distinguish who acts from what an action uses.
ad + acc.Preposition
to, towards, near
Read the governed case with the phrase. Its relation to the verb and context selects the relevant sense, not an English translation chosen before reading the ending.
ante + acc.Preposition
before, in front of
Read the governed case with the phrase. Its relation to the verb and context selects the relevant sense, not an English translation chosen before reading the ending.
apud + acc.Preposition
with, among, at the house of
Read the governed case with the phrase. Its relation to the verb and context selects the relevant sense, not an English translation chosen before reading the ending.
circum + acc.Preposition
around
Read the governed case with the phrase. Its relation to the verb and context selects the relevant sense, not an English translation chosen before reading the ending.
contra + acc.Preposition
against
Read the governed case with the phrase. Its relation to the verb and context selects the relevant sense, not an English translation chosen before reading the ending.
cum + abl.Preposition
with
Its construction decides its job: ablative noun phrases use with; indicative/subjunctive clauses need a temporal, causal or concessive reading.
de + abl.Preposition
down from, concerning
Read the governed case with the phrase. Its relation to the verb and context selects the relevant sense, not an English translation chosen before reading the ending.
e (ex) + abl.Preposition
out of, from
Read the governed case with the phrase. Its relation to the verb and context selects the relevant sense, not an English translation chosen before reading the ending.
extra + acc.Preposition
outside, beyond
Read the governed case with the phrase. Its relation to the verb and context selects the relevant sense, not an English translation chosen before reading the ending.
in + acc.Preposition
into, onto, against
The case distinguishes a destination or direction from a location. A location can involve movement inside it; motion alone is not enough.
in + abl.Preposition
in, on
The case distinguishes a destination or direction from a location. A location can involve movement inside it; motion alone is not enough.
inter + acc.Preposition
between, among
Read the governed case with the phrase. Its relation to the verb and context selects the relevant sense, not an English translation chosen before reading the ending.
intra + acc.Preposition
inside, within
Read the governed case with the phrase. Its relation to the verb and context selects the relevant sense, not an English translation chosen before reading the ending.
ob + acc.Preposition
on account of, because of
Read the governed case with the phrase. Its relation to the verb and context selects the relevant sense, not an English translation chosen before reading the ending.
per + acc.Preposition
through
Read the governed case with the phrase. Its relation to the verb and context selects the relevant sense, not an English translation chosen before reading the ending.
post + acc.Preposition
after, behind
Read the governed case with the phrase. Its relation to the verb and context selects the relevant sense, not an English translation chosen before reading the ending.
praeter + acc.Preposition
except, apart from
Read the governed case with the phrase. Its relation to the verb and context selects the relevant sense, not an English translation chosen before reading the ending.
pro + abl.Preposition
on behalf of
Read the governed case with the phrase. Its relation to the verb and context selects the relevant sense, not an English translation chosen before reading the ending.
prope + acc.Preposition
near
Distinguish the preposition with an accusative from the adverb near or almost; the construction supplies the difference.
propter + acc.Preposition
on account of
Read the governed case with the phrase. Its relation to the verb and context selects the relevant sense, not an English translation chosen before reading the ending.
sine + abl.Preposition
without
Read the governed case with the phrase. Its relation to the verb and context selects the relevant sense, not an English translation chosen before reading the ending.
sub + abl. /acc.Preposition
under, up to, just before
Read the governed case with the phrase. Its relation to the verb and context selects the relevant sense, not an English translation chosen before reading the ending.
super + abl. /acc.Preposition
above, upon, on top of
Read the governed case with the phrase. Its relation to the verb and context selects the relevant sense, not an English translation chosen before reading the ending.
trans + acc.Preposition
across
Read the governed case with the phrase. Its relation to the verb and context selects the relevant sense, not an English translation chosen before reading the ending.
Learn phrase construction
Ad, ante, apud, circum, contra, inter, intra, ob, per, post, praeter, prope, propter and trans have listed accusative constructions. A/ab, cum, de, e/ex, pro and sine use ablative in these records. The word meaning and the noun ending belong to one phrase.
Ab with a personal agent differs from an unprepositioned ablative of instrument. Cum can express accompaniment; it is not automatically the same as by a tool. A preposition's English gloss can change with context, so learn relation rather than a single memorised replacement.
Destination is not simply all movement
In with accusative commonly marks direction into or onto, while in with ablative marks location. Someone can run within a location expressed by ablative; a motion verb alone does not force accusative. Sub and super also have context-sensitive case uses, so their dual-case records must not be reduced to one universal rule.
Prope can be a preposition with accusative or a separate adverb near/almost. Governed-case adjectives or verbs are not prepositions merely because their dictionary records name a case. Check kind, phrase and local meaning.
Sources for this lesson
Pause and explain
Does movement occurring inside a place necessarily require in plus accusative?
Worked example
Compare original ‘Puer in villam currit’ and ‘Puer in villa currit’.
Show the worked solution
- Villam is accusative and supplies a destination.
- Villa is ablative and supplies a location.
- The running verb can appear in both.
Answer The boy runs into the house versus the boy runs in the house. Case distinguishes destination from location; the presence of movement by itself does not decide the preposition's case.
Try a topic test
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Test this topic →From guided practice to a new situation
Write your answer and reasoning first. Use a hint only if you are stuck. The model solution is for self-checking; your written work is not automatically marked.
Guided: Explain ‘cum amico’ versus ‘sine amico’.
Give me a hint
Both use the ablative but express different relations.
Compare my reasoning
- Identify the shared noun form.
- Read cum as accompaniment.
- Read sine as absence.
The phrases mean with a friend and without a friend. The shared ablative does not erase the opposite relations supplied by the two prepositions.
Look for these in your work
- Uses case
- Uses accompaniment
- Uses absence
Independent: Translate ‘ad urbem’ and ‘ex urbe’ as relations.
Give me a hint
Use accusative direction and ablative source.
Compare my reasoning
- Ad goes with urbem.
- Ex goes with urbe.
- Preserve towards versus out of.
The phrases express towards the city and out of the city. Both the preposition and its governed noun form support the differing relations, rather than an unchanged noun meaning alone.
Look for these in your work
- Uses direction
- Uses source
- Uses endings
Application: Correct a rule stating ‘currit always means the following location must be accusative’.
Give me a hint
The destination and location distinction remains.
Compare my reasoning
- Identify whether entry into a place is meant.
- Allow movement within an ablative location.
- Use the actual noun form.
Currit can describe movement into a destination or movement within a location. The preposition's relation and noun case decide which; the verb alone does not justify replacing a supplied ablative with accusative.
Look for these in your work
- Uses relation
- Allows internal movement
- Uses actual case
Common mistakes
- Making every motion verb force accusative
- Treating agent and instrument identically
- Calling dignus a preposition
What can you explain now?
Does movement occurring inside a place necessarily require in plus accusative?
Compare with the explanation
No
A location can contain movement; distinguish location from destination.
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Make it stick
Does movement occurring inside a place necessarily require in plus accusative?
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