1. Chapter 37 grammar
Ablative Absolutes

2. What is an Ablative Absolute?
An ablative absolute is a time construction
This is unique to Latin and not used in English
There are two items included in an Ablative Absolute
A noun in the Ablative
A participle in the Ablative

3. Perfect Participles
A perfect passive participle denotes an action that happens prior to the main verb and agrees with its noun in case, number, and gender:
puer a puella visus ridet.
The boy, having been seen by the girl, laughs.

4. Perfect Participles in Ablative Absolutes
When a perfect participle is used in an Ablative Absolute, the action is still happening prior to the main verb.
Perfect Participles are always passive
With a perfect participle, start the Ablative Absolute with when
The subject of the Ablative Absolute can not be the subject of the main clause EVER
puero viso, puella ridet.
When the boy was seen, the girl laughs.

5. Present Participles
A present active participle denotes an action that happens at the same time as the main verb and agrees with its noun in case, number, and gender:
puer puellam spectans ridet.
The boy, watching the girl, laughs.

6. Present Participles in Ablative Absolutes
When a present participle is used in an Ablative Absolute, the action is still happening at the same time as the main verb.
puero spectante, puella ridet.
While the boy watches, the girl laughs.
Present Participles are always active
With a present participle, start the Ablative Absolute with while
The subject of the Ablative Absolute can not be the subject of the main clause EVER