1. So far, we have been learning the nominative case forms for our nouns. The nominative (from nomen, name) is the case we use for naming, renaming, or describing SUBJECTS.

2. For review, we have learned: First declension Singular-a Plural-ae Second declension Singular-us Plural-i Third Declension The singular varies with each word The plural is based in taking the SECOND form and changing “is” to “es”

3. And no matter what declension, neuter words become nominative plural by putting an “a” on their base. Remember, “a” goes to “ae” “us” goes to “i” “is” goes to “es” and neuters get plural with an “a”

4. Now, we are going to learn a new case called the ACCUSATIVE (from accusare, to accuse, to call to account). The accusative case has several uses, but the most important is its use as the DIRECT OBJECT of a sentence.

5. The sign of the accusative case for singular masc. and fem. nouns of the first, second, and third declensions will be the letter “m” on the end of the word. First declension will be “am” Second will be “um” Third will be “em” (We will learn the plurals later.)

6. IF A NOUN FROM ANY DECLENSION IS NEUTER, ITS ACCUSATIVE OR DIRECT OBJECT FORM IS JUST LIKE ITS NOMINATIVE FORM- IT DOESN’T CHANGE!!!!!

7. Let’s look at some examples: Nominative Accusative ( subject) (direct object) puella puellam puer puerum coma comam cutis cutem arbor arborem collum caput

8. Look at these sentences: Puella videt puerum. Puerum puella videt. Puella puerum videt. Puer puellam videt. Puellam puer videt. Puellam videt puer.

9. Within each grouping of three, the sentences say exactly the same thing. While the emphasis is different, the content is identical.