An ablative absolute is a Latin grammatical construction that uses two nouns in the ablative case connected by a participle to denote time relationships. It can use either a perfect passive participle to indicate an action that occurred before the main verb, or a present active participle to denote an action happening simultaneously with the main verb. The subject of the ablative absolute cannot be the same as the subject of the main clause.

1. Chapter 37 grammar
Ablative Absolutes

2. What is an Ablative Absolute?
• An ablative absolute is a time
construction
• This is unique to Latin and not
used in English
• There are two items included in an
Ablative Absolute
1. A noun in the Ablative
2. A participle in the Ablative

3. Perfect Participles
• A perfect passive participle
denotes an action that happens
prior to the main verb and agrees
with its noun in case, number, and
gender:
puer a puella visus ridet.
The boy, having been seen by the
girl, laughs.

4. Perfect Participles in Ablative
Absolutes
• puero viso,
puella ridet.
• When the boy
was seen, the
girl laughs.
• Perfect Participles are
always passive
• With a perfect
participle, start the
Ablative Absolute with
when
• The subject of the
Ablative Absolute can
not be the subject of
the main clause . . .
EVER
 When a perfect participle is used in an
Ablative Absolute, the action is still
happening prior to the main verb.

5. Present Participles
• A present active participle denotes
an action that happens at the same
time as the main verb and agrees
with its noun in case, number, and
gender:
puer puellam spectans ridet.
The boy, watching the girl, laughs.

6. Present Participles in Ablative
Absolutes
• puero
spectante,
puella ridet.
• While the boy
watches, the
girl laughs.
• Present Participles are
always active
• With a present
participle, start the
Ablative Absolute with
while
• The subject of the
Ablative Absolute can
not be the subject of the
main clause . . . EVER
 When a present participle is used in an Ablative
Absolute, the action is still happening at the
same time as the main verb.

7. Present Participles in Ablative
Absolutes
• puero
spectante,
puella ridet.
• While the boy
watches, the
girl laughs.
• Present Participles are
always active
• With a present
participle, start the
Ablative Absolute with
while
• The subject of the
Ablative Absolute can
not be the subject of the
main clause . . . EVER
 When a present participle is used in an Ablative
Absolute, the action is still happening at the
same time as the main verb.