Object of verb
What’s wrong with these sentences?
- *Flaccus sends.
- *Argus devours.
Each sentence seems to be missing an important element. Flaccus must be sending someone; Argus must be devouring something.
The missing element is the object of the verb. In English, the object of the verb usually comes immediately after the verb.
- Flaccus sends his son.
- Argus devours the food.
The object of a verb is usually the person or thing affected by the action of the verb.
Object of verb + verb
These simple Latin sentences consist of a noun followed by a verb. The noun is the object of the verb.
- cibum portat.
- He or she is carrying food.
- Scintillam salutat.
- He or she greets Scintilla.
In Latin, the object of a verb usually comes just before the verb. The object of a verb is in the accusative case.
Subject + object of verb + verb
These sentences consist of a subject, followed by the object of a verb, followed by the verb itself. The subject is in the nominative case, the object of the verb is in the accusative case.
- Flaccus cibum portat.
- Flaccus is carrying food.
- colonus Scintillam salutat.
- The farmer greets Scintilla.