L.C. II XI question

[4boys]

In Exercise B #7 the sentence reads: "The farmers are moving the lambs into the field." The answer uses the accusative form of the Latin word field - agrum. However, the word "lambs" is the direct object of the sentence and field a prepositional object which would require the ablative ending "o". Does anyone have an explanation for why the ending "um" is used?

[jeremiah213]

4boys,

The preposition "in" can take both the ablative and the accusative cases. However, it is translated differently in both cases. When in takes the ablative there is a more stationary idea.

in the city
on the wall

they're not moving, they're just sitting there. When in takes the accusative case however more motion is suggested, and in can mean

into the city
against the wall

In the sentence you gave, they are going "into the field" suggested motion/destination requires the use of the accusative.

Glen Moore

[4boys]

Glenn,

Thank you so much for the explanation.