This is an elementary Latin course accompanied with a detailed grammar based upon Kennedy's Public School Latin Grammar designed to introduce one to the world of classical languages. A basic understanding of grammatical terminology would be helpful; however, it is not required. Basic definitions of terms will be explained in Lessons 1 and 2, and later elaborated as needed.

For detailed explanations and examples of English grammatical terms, please consult the English Grammar textbook. However, Latin grammar is quite different from that of English, and thus it requires different grammatical terms to explain the concepts. These will be taught as needed.

Note

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This book will attempt to teach the reader Latin from the ground up. Please read the Introduction carefully, as it introduces the concept of a stem. As is typical in many other languages, the infinitive stem (present tense, active voice) is used for conjugating verbs. [The introduction of additional information in parentheses is done simply to avoid confusing a student who has already had exposure to Latin.]

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  • Nouns should be given in the nominative and genitive singular following the standard practice of Latin dictionaries. If it is necessary to indicate the case of the declension then the abbreviations "nom." and "gen." may be used. Different pages may use their own layout rules, but they should be left-justified and clear to the student.
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A Progressive Latin Grammar and Exercises

Introduction to the origins and structure of Latin:

  1. How to study a language on the Internet and in your head
  2. Special consideration: How to use a Wikibook when progress may mean inaccuracy
  3. Grammatical Introduction to Latin The origin and structure of Latin
  4. Basic Grammar Grammatical introduction.

Chapter 1: Basic Sentences

  1. The Nominative Case Create basic Latin sentences, with adjectives and the verb "to be"
  2. Adjectives A short introduction to adjectives
  3. Present indicative active construct An introduction to verbs, and the present tense of regular verbs.
  4. Adverbs & Prepositions More on adjectives, and an overview of adverbs and prepositions.
  5. The Accusative Case Learn to create sentences with transitive verbs.
  6. Pronouns Summary of Pronouns
  7. Chapter 1 Verse

Chapter 2: Complex Sentences

  1. The Imperfect Tense The imperfect tense, working in the past.
  2. The Genitive and Dative Cases Indicate indirect objects and possession.
  3. The Future Tense Verbs in the Future
  4. The Ablative and Vocative Case Indicate an ablative construct / directly address someone
  5. The 3rd, 4th and 5th declensions All remaining categories of nouns
  6. Irregular Verbs & Revision Review of all five declensions and the conjugation of present imperfect indicative active verbs.
  7. Translation Exercise Translate a passage.
  8. Imperfect and Future indicative active constructs
  9. Chapter 2 Verse

Chapter 3: Advanced Sentences

  1. Imperatives Ordering or Telling People What to Do.
  2. Active v. Passive Verbs
  3. Indicative Passive Verbs Present, imperfect, and future passives.
  4. Principal Parts Principal verb parts and verb conjugation.
  5. The Perfect Indicative Tense The uses and formation of the perfect indicative tense.
  6. The Perfect Indicative Passive Verbs Use the perfect with the passives.
  7. Future and Past Perfect Indicative Tenses
  8. Ablative Absolute and Accusative Infinitive Constructions
  9. Chapter 3 Verse

Chapter 4: The Subjunctive Mood and Complex Sentences

  1. The Subjunctive Mood Subjunctive vs. Indicative moods, conjugate the Subjunctive present.
  2. The Uses of the Subjunctive
  3. The Subjunctive Imperfect Conjugation and uses of the imperfect subjunctive.
  4. The Subjunctive Passive Verbs Conjugate the present and imperfect subjunctives.
  5. The Subjunctive Perfects The perfect endings for the Subjunctive.
  6. The Subjunctive Perfect Passive Verbs Perfect auxiliary verbs for the subjunctive passives.
  7. The Gerund and Participles Verbal Nouns.
  8. Conditional Clauses Conditional sentences in the indicative and subjunctive mood
  9. Revision Review of all five declensions and the conjugation of the active subjunctive verbs.
  10. Idioms An overview of idiomatic phrases used in Latin.
  11. Translation Translate a passage from the Vulgate Bible.
    Bust of Julius Caesar
  12. Chapter 4 Verse
  13. Verse from the Gospels

Chapter 5: Review

  1. Revision Review of all five noun and adjective declensions.
  2. Revision Revise work on all verb conjugations and learned forms.
  3. Translation Translate a passage from Catullus.
  4. Exercises Review of subjunctive forms.
  5. Exercises Review of passive forms.
  6. Translation
  7. Revision Ideas and memory tools for language patterns in conjugation and declining.
  8. Chapter 5 Verse
  9. Poem about Latin

Spoken Latin

This is a test chapter to teach those who wish to learn Latin which they can use in their daily lives.

  1. Spoken Latin Wikibook

Appendices

Verb Synopsis
List of Declensions
Phonology of Latin (pronunciation)
Accents and Scansion
Morphology of Latin
Ecclessiastical & Medieval Latin
Latin Grammatical Definitions
Latin Dictionary
Latin Mottos and Phrases Used today.
Latin Abbreviations Used today.
Common phrases
Latin Resources
Library of Graded Latin Texts for Translation
Roman History
Roman Culture
Spoken Latin
Words and their Flexion
Prefixes and Suffixes
Advanced: Stylistic Features of Latin Verse and Prose

About the Book

  1. Authors

Please leave ideas for additional chapters on the talk page.

  • An excellent textbook for beginners is available for free at Latin for Beginners by B. L. D'Ooge, with the Answer Key here on Wikibooks.
  • Whitaker's Words is a Latin dictionary DOS program and is available for free at Whitaker's Words. William A. Whitaker (1936–2010) was a colonel in the United States Air Force.
  • A valuable Latin grammar reference is available for free at A Latin Grammar for Schools and Colleges by Albert Harkness.
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