{"category":"syntax","common_mistakes":["Confusing with ablative of means or manner","Using wrong case (genitive absolute doesn't exist in Latin)","Not recognizing that the absolute is grammatically separate"],"description":"A noun/pronoun and participle (or two nouns) in the ablative case, grammatically independent from the rest of the sentence, expressing time, cause, condition, or concession.","examples":[{"difficulty":"intermediate","english":"When the city was captured, Caesar departed.","explanation":"Perfect passive participle construction","latin":"Urbe capta, Caesar discessit."},{"difficulty":"intermediate","english":"When Marcus was consul, war was waged.","explanation":"Two nouns in ablative (no participle)","latin":"Marco consule, bellum gestum est."}],"formation":["Participle (present, perfect, or future) agreeing with noun in ablative","Sometimes two nouns in ablative (noun + predicate noun)","Grammatically independent from main clause"],"id":"ablative_absolute","name":"Ablative Absolute","related_topics":["participles","ablative_case","subordinate_clauses"],"structure":"Noun/Pronoun (ablative) + Participle (ablative)","uses":{"causal":{"examples":[{"difficulty":"intermediate","english":"Because the enemies were conquered, Caesar made peace. / The enemies having been conquered, Caesar made peace.","explanation":"Hostes (abl) + victus participle (abl) - causal","latin":"Hostibus victis, Caesar pacem fecit."}],"name":"Cause (Because)","translation":"because, since"},"concessive":{"examples":[{"difficulty":"advanced","english":"Although these things were known, nevertheless he set out.","explanation":"Res (abl) + cognitus participle (abl) - concessive","latin":"His rebus cognitis, tamen profectus est."}],"name":"Concession (Although)","translation":"although"},"conditional":{"examples":[{"difficulty":"advanced","english":"If you are leader, we can conquer. / With you as leader, we can conquer.","explanation":"Tu (abl) + dux (abl) - conditional","latin":"Te duce, vincere possumus."}],"name":"Condition (If)","translation":"if"},"temporal":{"examples":[{"difficulty":"intermediate","english":"When Caesar was leader, the Romans conquered. / With Caesar as leader, the Romans conquered.","explanation":"Caesar (abl) + dux (abl) expressing time","latin":"Caesare duce, Romani vicerunt."},{"difficulty":"intermediate","english":"When the sun was rising, we set out.","explanation":"Sol (abl) + oriens participle (abl) - temporal","latin":"Sole oriente, profecti sumus."}],"name":"Time (When)","translation":"when, after, while"}}}