1023. A Sentence is a thought expressed by means of a verb. The Subject is that which is spoken of. The Predicate is that which is said of the subject.
1024. A Simple Sentence is one which has only one subject and one predicate.
Thus, Rhodanus fluit, the Rhone flows, is a simple sentence: the subject is Rhodanus and the predicate is fluit.
1025. The sentence may be declarative, stating a fact, exclamatory, crying out about something, interrogative, asking a question, or imperative, giving a command.
1026. The subject is a substantive, or any word or words having the value of a substantive.
1027. The subject of a verb is in the nominative case.
1028. The subject may be expressed, or may be merely indicated by the person ending.
1029. (1.) With the first or the second person, the subject is expressed by a personal pronoun (ego tū, nōs vōs) only when somewhat emphatic, or in an indignant question. Otherwise the verb of the first or second person is not attended by a personal pronoun: as, eram, I was, erās, thou wert.
1030. The subject is regularly omitted when it is general and indefinite, in the first person plural; as, intellegimus, we understand; and second person singular, as: putārēs, you, or anybody would have thought.
1031. The subject of the first or second person is sometimes a substantive, contrary to the English idiom: as, Hannibal petō pācem, I Hannibal am suing for peace. pars spectātōrum scīs, a part of you spectators knows. exoriāre aliquis nostrīs ex ossibus ultor, from out our bones mayst some avenger spring. trecentī coniūrāvimus, three hundred of us have sworn an oath together.
1032. (2.) With the third person the subject is regularly expressed, unless the general ‘he she it,’ or ‘they’ implied in the person ending is definite enough.
1033. The third person plural often refers to people in general, particularly of verbs meaning say, name or call, think, and, with volgō added, of other verbs also: as, ferunt, they say, people say, or the world says. The singular verb inquit, is rarely used in the sense of says somebody, it will be said, or quotha.
1034. Some verbs have no subject at all in the third person singular; these are called Impersonal. Such are: a few verbs expressing ‘operations of nature,’ five verbs of ‘mental distress,’ and any verb used to denote merely the occurrence of action, without reference to any doer: as,
(a.) lūcet, it is light, lūcēscit, it is getting light; pluit, it rains, fulget, it lightens, tonat, it thunders. (b.) miseret, it moves to pity, paenitet, it repents, piget, it grieves, pudet, it puts to shame, taedet, it bores. (c.) bene erat, it went well; pugnātur, there is fighting, pugnātum est, there was fighting. See also 816.
1035. The predicate is either a verb alone, or a verb of indeterminate meaning with a predicate nominative added to complete the sense.
Verbs of indeterminate meaning are such as mean am (something), become, remain, seem, am thought, am called or named, am chosen.
1036. The verb is sometimes omitted, when it is easily understood. So particularly such everyday verbs as mean am, do, say, come, and go, in proverbs and maxims, in short questions, and in emphatic or lively assertion or description: as,
quot hominēs, tot sententiae, sc. sunt, as many men, so many minds. omnia praeclāra rāra, sc. sunt, all that’s very fair is rare. mortuus Cūmīs, sc. est, he died at Cumae. bene mihī̆, sc. sit, be it well with me, i.e. a health to me. haec hāctenus, sc. dīcam, thus much only, or no more of this.
1037. The parts of the simple sentence may be enlarged by additions. The commonest enlargements of the subject and of the predicate are the following.
1038. I. The subject may be enlarged by the addition of attributes, appositives, or objects.
1039. (1.) An Attribute is an essential addition to a substantive, uniting with it as one idea. The attribute may be:
1040. (a.) Genitive of a substantive of different meaning, denoting the agent, possessor, or the like: as, metus hostium, fear of the enemy, i.e. which they feel. hostium castra, camp of the enemy.
1041. (b.) Genitive or ablative of a substantive with an adjective in agreement: as, puer sēdecim annōrum, a boy of sixteen years; bovēs mīrā speciē, kine of wondrous beauty.
1042. (c.) A noun in the same case, either an adjective or participle, or else a substantive used adjectively: as, pugna Cannēnsis, the battle of Cannae; cīvitātēs victae, the conquered communities; victor Rōmulus rēx, victorious king Romulus.
1043. (d.) A substantive in the accusative or ablative with a preposition: as, pugna ad Cannās, the battle near Cannae. vir sine metū, a man without fear (1427).
1044. An attribute is rarely attached immediately to a proper name: as, fortem Gyān, Gyas the brave. Q. Lūcānius, eiusdem ōrdinis, Lucanius, of the same rank. It is much oftener attached to a general word in apposition with the proper name: as, vir clārissimus, M. Crassus, the illustrious Crassus.
1045. (2.) An Appositive is a separate substantive added as an explanation to another substantive, and in the same case, but not like the attribute uniting with it as one idea: as,
avītum malum, rēgnī cupīdō, the ancestral curse, ambition for a crown. Hamilcar, Mārs alter, Hamilcar, a second Mars. Cornēlia, māter Gracchōrum, Cornelia, mother of the Gracchi. Teutomatus, Ollivicōnis fīlius, rēx Nitiobrogum, Teutomatus, the son of Ollivico, the king of the Nitiobroges.
1046. (3.) The Object of a substantive is another substantive of different meaning in the genitive, denoting that on which action is exerted: as,
metus hostium, fear of the enemy, i.e. which is felt towards them. vēnditiō bonōrum, sale of the goods.
1047. A substantive in any case may be modified like the subject.
1048. II. The predicate may be enlarged by the addition of accusatives, datives, predicate nouns, or adverbial adjuncts.
1049. (1.) The Accusative denotes the object of the verb; also extent, duration, and aim of motion. See 1124.
1050. (2.) The Dative denotes that for or to which something is or is done. See 1175.
1051. (3.) A predicate noun, either substantive or adjective, denoting ‘office, time, age, order, condition,’ or the like, is often added to other verbs besides those of indeterminate meaning (1035): as,
Iūnius aedem dictātor dēdicāvit, Junius dedicated a temple in his capacity as dictator, not Junius the dictator. litterās Graecās senex didicī, I learned Greek when I was an old man. prīnceps in proelium ībat, ultimus excēdēbat, he was always the first to go into battle, the last to come out. For the predicative dative of the substantive, see 1219.
1052. In like manner a noun may be added as a predicate in agreement with a substantive in any oblique case: as,
sē incolumēs recipiunt, they come back safe. ante mē cōnsulem, before my consulship. Dolābellā hoste dēcrētō, Dolabella having been voted an enemy. nātūrā duce, with nature as a guide.
1053. (4.) An Adverbial Adjunct is either an oblique case of a noun, often with a preposition, or an adverb denoting ‘place, time, extent, degree, manner, cause,’ or ‘circumstances’ generally: as,
silentiō proficīscitur, he marches in silence. in eō flūmine pōns erat, over that river there was a bridge.
1054. A predicate substantive may be modified like the subject. An adjective either of the subject or of the predicate, may be modified by an oblique case or by an adverb.
1055. Simple sentences may be combined in two different ways. The added sentence may be I. Coordinate; or II. Subordinate.
Thus, in he died and we lived, the two sentences are coordinate, that is, of equal rank. But in he died that we might live, the sentence beginning with that is subordinate. In either combination the separate sentences are often called Clauses or Members, in contradistinction to the more comprehensive sentence of which they are parts.
1056. A Compound Sentence is one which consists of two or more coordinate simple sentences: as,
tū mē amās, ego tē amō, Pl. Most. 305, thou art in love with me, I’m in love with thee. nox erat et caelō fulgēbat lūna serēnō inter minōra sīdera, H. Epod. 15, 1, ’twas night, and in a cloudless sky, bright rode the moon amid the lesser lights. ā tē petō, mē dēfendās, Fam. 15, 8, I ask it of you, protect me.
1057. A compound sentence is usually abridged when the members have parts in common: as,
valēbant precēs et lacrimae, Mil. 34, prayers and tears had weight, compound subject, for valēbant precēs et valēbant lacrimae. rogat ōratque tē, RA. 144, he begs and entreats you, compound predicate, for rogat tē ōratque tē. arma virumque canō, V. 1, 1, arms and the man I sing, compound object, for arma canō virumque canō. diū atque ācriter pugnātum est, 1, 26, 1, there was long and sharp fighting, for diū pugnātum est atque ācriter pugnātum est.
1058. A Complex Sentence is one which consists of a main and a subordinate sentence: as,
centuriōnēs praemittit (main sentence), quī locum idōneum castrīs dēligant (subordinate sentence), 2, 17, 1, he sends some officers ahead to select a suitable spot for the camp, nunc scio (main sentence), quid sit Amor (subordinate sentence), V. E. 8, 43, now, now I know what Eros is. ā tē petō (main sentence), ut mē dēfendās (subordinate sentence), Fam. 15, 7, I ask it of you that you protect me.
1059. Several sentences are often subordinate to one and the same main sentence, and subordinate sentences may in their turn be main sentences to other subordinate sentences.
Thus, in the following sentence b is subordinate to A, and c to Ab: (c.) quālis esset nātūra montis, (b.) quī cōgnōscerent, (A.) mīsit, 1, 21, 1, he sent some people to see what the character of the hill was.
1060. Subordinate sentences may be coordinated with each other, as well as main sentences.
Thus, in the following sentence, b and b are both subordinate to A, but coordinate with each other: (A.) hīs rēbus fiēbat, (b.) ut et minus lātē vagārentur (b.) et minus facile fīnitimīs bellum īnferre possent, 1, 2, 4, so it came to pass that, in the first place, they did not roam round much, and secondly, they could not so easily make aggressive war on their neighbours.
1061. A subordinate sentence introductory in thought to the main sentence, though not necessarily first in the order of the words, is called a Protasis; the main sentence which completes the thought is called an Apodosis: as,
quom vidēbis (protasis), tum sciēs (apodosis), Pl. B. 145, when thou see’st, then thou’lt know. ut sēmentem fēceris (protasis), ita metēs (apodosis), DO. 2, 261, as a man soweth, so shall he reap. sī sunt dī (protasis), beneficī in hominēs sunt (apodosis), Div. 2, 104, if there are gods, they are kind to men.
1062. A verb agrees with its subject in number and person: as,
praedia mea tū possidēs, ego aliēnā misericordiā vīvō, RA. 145, you, sir, hold my estates, it is by the compassion of other people that I am supported. Rhodanus fluit, 1, 6, 2, the Rhone flows. nōs, nōs, dīcō apertē, cōnsulēs dēsumus, C. 1, 3, it is ourselves, yes, ourselves, I will speak without reserve, the consuls, who fail in our duty. vōs vōbīs cōnsulite, 7, 50, 4, do you look out for yourselves. diffūgēre nivēs, H. 4, 7, 1, scattered and gone are snows.
1063. With a compound subject, two constructions are admissible, as follows.
1064. (1.) With two or more singular subjects, the verb is often in the plural: as,
(a.) Without connectives: persons: iīsdem ferē temporibus fuērunt C. Cotta, P. Sulpicius, Q. Varius, Cn. Pompōnius, Br. 182, in about the same times lived Cotta, Sulpicius, Varius, and Pomponius. Things: fidēs Rōmāna, iūstitia imperātōris in forō et cūriā celebrantur, L. 5, 27, 11, the chivalrous principle of Rome and the square dealing of her captain are trumpeted in market place and council hall. (b.) With atque, et, or -que: persons: ex hīs Cotta et Sulpicius facile prīmās tulērunt, Br. 182, of these Cotta and Sulpicius indisputably bore the palm. Things: nox et amor vīnumque nihil moderābile suādent, O. Am. 1, 6, 59, darkness and love and wine to nothing governable tempt. cum senātus populusque Rōmānus pācem comprobāverint, L. 37, 45, 14, when the senate and the people of Rome sanction peace. (c.) With et . . . et: persons: et Q. Maximus et L. Paullus iīs temporibus fuērunt, Fam. 4, 6, 1, both Maximus and Paullus lived in such times. Things: utrōsque et laudis cupiditās et timor īgnōminiae excitābant, 7, 80, 5, both of these eagerness for glory in the first place and secondly fear of disgrace spurred on.
1065. The plural is sometimes demanded by the meaning of the verb: as, iūs et iniūria nātūrā dīiūdicantur, Leg. 1, 44, right and wrong are naturally distinguished from each other.
1066. (2.) Often, however, with two or more singular subjects, the verb is put in the singular: as,
(a.) Without connectives: persons: tum Gorgiās, Thrasymachus, Prodicus, Hippiās in magnō honōre fuit, Br. 30, at that time Gorgias, Thrasymachus, Prodicus, and Hippias were in high renown. Things: persuāsit nox, amor, vīnum, adulēscentia, T. Ad. 470, the witchery was night, flirtation, wine, and youth. (b.) With atque, et, or -que: persons: cūr Lȳsiās et Hyperīdēs amātur? Br. 68, why is a Lysias and a Hyperides idolized? Things: Gallōs ā Belgīs Matrona et Sēquana dīvidit, 1, 2, 1, the Matrona and Sequana cut off the Gauls from the Belgians. senātus populusque Rōmānus voluit, L. 21, 40, 3, senate and people of Rome ordained. (c.) With et . . . et: persons: illam ratiōnem et Pompēius et Flaccus secūtus est, Flacc. 32, that rule both Pompey and Flaccus followed. Things: tālis senātōrum et dignitās et multitūdō fuit, Ph. 13, 13, both the position and number of the senators was such.
1067. With two or more singular subjects denoting things, and making a compound idea, a singular verb is very common, agreeing either with the subjects taken as a unit, or with the nearest: as,
(a.) cum tempus necessitāsque postulat, dēcertandum manū est, Off. 1, 81, when the emergency requires, we must fight it out by hand. tanta laetitia ac grātulātiō fuit, L. 10, 26, 4, so great was the demonstration of joy. (b.) Cingetorīgī prīncipātus atque imperium est trāditum, 6, 8, 9, the headship and command was assigned to Cingetorix.
1068. (3.) With mixed subjects, singular and plural, the verb may likewise be either plural or singular: as,
(a.) vīta mors, dīvitiae paupertās omnīs hominēs permovent, Off. 2, 37, life and death, riches and poverty, tell much on everybody. (b.) quantō in perīculō et castra et legiōnēs et imperātor versārētur, 2, 26, 5, in what imminent peril camp and legions and commander were involved. hōc mihī̆ et Peripatēticī et Acadēmīa concēdit, Ac. 2, 113, this point both Peripatetics and Academy grant me.
1069. The plural is sometimes used with a singular subject limited by an ablative with cum, with: as, Syrus cum illō vostrō cōnsusurrant, T. Hau. 473, Syrus and yon man of yours are whispering together. Bocchus cum peditibus postrēmam Rōmānōrum aciem invādunt, S. I. 101, 5, Bocchus with the infantry falls on the rereward line of the Romans. Cicero commonly uses a singular verb in this combination, Caesar has the plural once only.
1070. (4.) When the subjects are connected by nec . . . nec, aut, or aut . . . aut, the verb is likewise either plural or singular: as,
(a.) neque multitūdō hostium neque tēlōrum vīs arcēre impetum eius virī potuērunt, L. 26, 5, 17, neither the numbers of the enemy nor the shower of missiles could arrest the onslaught of that intrepid soul. sī quid Sōcratēs aut Aristippus fēcerint, Off. 1, 148, if a Socrates or an Aristippus had done anything. (b.) neque pēs neque mēns satis suom officium facit, T. Eu. 729, nor foot nor mind its duty doth aright. sī Sōcratēs aut Antisthenēs dīceret, TD. 5, 26, if a Socrates or an Antisthenes should say it.
1071. Collectives have usually a singular verb. But the plural is sometimes used, especially when the subject is separated from its verb, or is to be supplied from a preceding clause: as,
cum tanta multitūdō lapidēs conicerent, 2, 6, 3, when such a throng were throwing stones. is cīvitātī persuāsit, ut dē fīnibus suīs exīrent, 1, 2, 1, this person succeeded in inducing the community to leave their territory.
1072. The verb sometimes agrees with an appositive explaining the subject, or with a substantive in the predicate: as,
(a.) flammae lātē fūsae, certiōris clādis indicium, prōgredī longius prohibuit, L. 10, 43, 11, wide-spread flames, sign of a surer disaster, prevented a further advance. When urbs, oppidum, cīvitās, or the like, is added to plural names of places, the predicate usually agrees with the appellative: as, Coriolī oppidum captum, L. 2, 33, 9, Corioli town was taken. (b.) amantium īrae amōris integrātiōst, T. Andr. 555, lovers’ tiffs are love’s renewal. summa omnium fuērunt ad mīlia CCCLXVIII, 1, 29, 3, the grand total was about three hundred and sixty-eight thousand. The verb regularly agrees with the predicate substantive when the subject is an infinitive: as, contentum suīs rēbus esse maximae sunt dīvitiae, Par. 51, for a man to be content with his own estate is the greatest possible riches.
1073. The verb sometimes agrees with a substantive introduced by such words as quam, quantum, nisi, or praeterquam: as, quis illum cōnsulem nisi latrōnēs putant? Ph. 4, 9, who but brigands think that man a consul? So also a predicate adjective or participle: as, mihī̆ nōn tam cōpia quam modus quaerendus est, IP. 3, I must aim not so much at comprehensiveness as at moderation.
1074. A speaker in referring to himself sometimes uses the first person plural, as a more modest form of expression: as, Molōnī dedimus operam, Br. 307, we attended Molo’s instruction, i.e. I. Similarly nōs in all its cases for ego, &c., and noster, &c., for meus, &c.
1075. The singular imperative age is sometimes used in addressing more than one, particularly in old Latin: as, age licēminī, Pl. St. 221, come, people, give a bid. age igitur intrō abīte, Pl. MG. 928, come then go in. Similarly, cave dīrumpātis, Pl. Poen. 117, mind you don’t break it off. Similarly ain.
1076. If the subjects are of different persons, the first person is preferred to the second or the third, and the second to the third: as,
sī tū et Tullia, lūx nostra, valētis, ego et suāvissimus Cicerō valēmus, Fam. 14, 5, 1, if you and Tullia, our sunbeam, are well, darling Cicero and I are well. But sometimes in contrasts the verb agrees with the nearest person: as, quid indicat aut ipse Cornēlius aut vōs? Sull. 54, what information does Cornelius himself give, or you people?
1077. A substantive which explains another substantive referring to the same thing is put in the same case.
This applies to the substantive used as attribute, appositive, or predicate. The two substantives often differ in gender or number, or both. (a.) Attribute: tīrōne exercitū, Fam. 7, 3, 2, with a raw army. ā mīmā uxōre, Ph. 2, 20, from an actress-wife. mendīcōs hominēs, Pl. St. 135, beggar-men. oculī hominis histriōnis, DO. 2, 193, the eyes of an actor man. nēminī hominī, Pl. As. 466, to no human being. servom hominem, T. Ph. 292, a servant man. hominēs sīcāriōs, RA. 8, professional bravoes. (b.) Appositive: quid dīcam dē thēsaurō rērum omnium, memoriā? DO. 1, 18, what shall I say of that universal storehouse, the memory? duo fulmina nostrī imperī, Cn. et P. Scīpiōnēs, Balb. 34, the two thunderbolts of our realm, the Scipios, Gnaeus and Publius. (c.) Predicate: īra furor brevis est, H. E. 1, 2, 62, wrath is a madness brief. Dolābellā hoste dēcrētō, Ph. 11, 16, Dolabella having been voted a public enemy. Some apparent exceptions will be noticed from time to time hereafter.
1078. Mobile substantives take also the gender and number of the masculines or feminines they explain: as,
stilus optimus dīcendī magister, DO. 1, 150, pen is the best professor of rhetoric. vīta rūstica parsimōniae magistra est, RA. 75, country life is a teacher of thrift. fluviōrum rēx Ēridanus, V. G. 1, 482, Eridanus, of rivers king. et genus et fōrmam rēgīna pecūnia dōnat, H. E. 1, 6, 37, both birth and shape the almighty dollar gives. ut omittam illās omnium doctrīnārum inventrīcēs Athēnās, DO. 1, 13, to say nothing of the great originator of all intellectual pursuits, Athens.
1079. A substantive explaining two or more substantives, is put in the plural: as,
foedus inter Rōmam Lāvīniumque urbēs renovātum est, L. 1, 14, 3, the treaty between the cities of Rome and Lavinium was renewed. Cn. et P. Scīpiōnēs, Balb. 34, the Scipios, Gnaeus and Publius.
1080. A plural subject, expressed or implied, is sometimes defined by a singular word, which is generally a collective or distributive: as,
ut ambō exercitūs suās quisque abīrent domōs, L. 2, 7, 1, so that both armies went back to their respective homes. uterque eōrum ex castrīs exercitum ēdūcunt, Caes. C. 3, 30, 3, they bring their army out of camp, each of them. heus forās exīte hūc aliquis, Pl. E. 398, hallo, you boys, come out of doors here, somebody. alius alium percontāmur, Pl. St. 370, we ask of one another. cum accidisset ut alter alterum vidērēmus, Fin. 3, 8, when it came to pass that we each saw the other. The verb sometimes agrees with the defining singular: as, quandō duo cōnsulēs, alter morbō, alter ferrō periisset, L. 41, 18, 16, since the two consuls had died, one a natural death, the other by the sword.
1081. A substantive in the accusative or nominative is sometimes in apposition to a thought or clause: as,
manūs intentantēs, causam discordiae, Ta. 1, 27, shaking their fists, a provocation to quarrel. pars ingentī subiēre feretrō, trīste ministerium, V. 6, 222, a part put shoulder to the mighty bier, a service sad. nec Homērum audiō, quī Ganymēdēn ab dīs raptum ait propter fōrmam; nōn iūsta causa cūr Lāomedontī tanta fieret iniūria, TD. 1, 65, nor will I lend an ear to Homer, who asserts that Ganymede was carried off by the gods for his beauty; no just reason for doing Laomedon such injustice.
1082. An adjective, adjective pronoun, or participle, agrees with its substantive in number, gender, and case: as,
vir bonus, H. Ep. 1, 16, 40, a good man, bona uxor, Pl. MG. 684, a good wife, oleum bonum, Cato, RR. 3, good oil. Gallia est omnis dīvīsa in partēs trēs, 1, 1, 1, Gaul, including everything under the name, is divided into three parts. et variae volucrēs nemora āvia pervolitantēs āera per tenerum liquidīs loca vōcibus opplent, Lucr. 2, 145, and motley birds, in pathless woods that flit through lither sky, fill space with carols clear.
1083. An adjective or participle, either attributive or predicate, sometimes takes the number and gender of the persons or things implied in the substantive: as,
(a.) concursus populī mīrantium quid rē̆ī esset, L. 1, 41, 1, a gathering of the public, wondering what was the matter. (b.) pars subeuntium obrutī, pars cōnfīxī, Ta. H. 2, 22, a part of those who came up were crushed, a part were run through. Samnītium caesī tria mīlia ducentī, L. 10, 34, 3, of the Samnites were slain three thousand two hundred.
1084. (1.) An attributive adjective referring to several substantives is commonly expressed with one only, generally with the first or the last: as,
rēs erat multae operae et labōris, 5, 11, 5, it was a job that required much work and trouble. semper amāvī ingenium, studia, mōrēs tuōs, O. 33, I have always admired your ability, your scholarly tastes, and your character. In lively style, the adjective is often used with every substantive.
1085. Two or more attributive adjectives in the singular connected by a conjunction may belong to a plural substantive: as,
circā portās Collīnam Ēsquilīnamque, L. 26, 10, 2, about the gates, the Colline and the Esquiline. But the substantive may also be in the singular: as, inter Ēsquilīnam Collīnamque portam, L. 26, 10, 1, between the Esquiline and the Colline gate.
1086. The combined idea of a substantive with an attributive adjective may be qualified by one or more adjectives: as,
nāvīs longās trīgintā veterēs, L. 27, 22, 12, thirty old men-of-war. prīvāta nāvis onerāria māxima, V. 5, 136, a very large private freighting vessel. āter aliēnus canis, T. Ph. 706, a strange black dog.
1087. (2.) A predicate adjective or participle referring to two or more substantives is usually in the plural; its gender is determined as follows:
1088. (a.) If the substantives denote persons of the same gender, that gender is used; if they denote persons of different gender, the masculine is used: as,
venēnō absūmptī Hannibal et Philopoemēn, L. 39, 52, 8, it was by poison that Hannibal and Philopoemen were taken off. quam prīdem pater mihī̆ et māter mortuī essent, T. Eu. 517, how long my father and my mother had been dead.
1089. (b.) If the substantives denote things, and are of different genders, the neuter plural is used; also commonly when they are feminines denoting things: as,
mūrus et porta dē caelō tācta erant, L. 32, 29, 1, the wall and town-gate had been struck by lightning. īra et avāritia imperiō potentiōra erant, L. 37, 32, 13, hot blood and greed proved stronger than authority.
1090. (c.) If the substantives denote both persons and things, either the gender of the substantives denoting persons is used, or the neuter. The gender of the substantives denoting things is very rarely used: as,
et rēx rēgiaque classis ūnā profectī, L. 21, 50, 11, the king too and the king’s fleet set sail in his company. inimīca inter sē līberam cīvitātem et rēgem, L. 44, 24, 2, that a free state and a monarch were irreconcilable things. Dolopas et Athamāniam ēreptās sibī̆ querēns, L. 38, 10, 3, complaining that the Dolopians and Athamania were wrested from him.
1091. When the verb is attached to the nearest only of two or more subjects, a predicate participle or adjective naturally takes the gender of that substantive: as, ibī̆ Orgetorīgis fīlia atque ūnus ē fīliīs captus est, 1, 26, 5, there the daughter of Orgetorix and one of the sons too was made prisoner. ut brāchia atque umerī līberī esse possent, 7, 56, 4, so that their arms and shoulders might be unhampered.
1092. The ablative singular absente is used once each by Terence and Afranius with a plural substantive: absente nōbīs, T. Eu. 649, while we were out.