I’m a Classics student, about to graduate with my Bachelors degree from the Univ. of Kansas. I’ve loved Latin ever since I was 13, and I’ve only come to know Greek in the last few years. Pindar was the last author I’d read for class, and now on break I’ve started on Plautus’ Amphitruo in my free time.
I’m really interested in improving my composition skills–I was thrilled to see that there was a forum dedicated to such ends. The trouble with me is that I never really know what are the proper constructions to use, e.g., when ut+subj is used instead of acc + inf constructions after certain verbs, or the exact notion of a verb (eg, whats the difference of prohibeo vs. veto vs. interdico etc.) I’m eager to become a better writer, and I hope to post as much as time will allow me.
That’s because you went to school in the late 20th / early 21st century instead of the late 19th. See my Wheelock versus D’Ooge rant in the D’Ooge forum.
When I was in grammar school, studying a subject called Spelling, we learned twenty words a week and had to use each word in a sentence. You may have to review your Latin (and Greek) vocabulary this way, looking up each word in one of the big dictionaries to see how it’s typically used. That’s on my own to-do list.
or the exact notion of a verb (eg, whats the difference of prohibeo vs. veto vs. interdico etc.)
Get a copy of Döderlein’s Latin Synonyms and treasure it for dear life. I have it scanned from a library book that was falling apart, but the images are not good enough quality for Textkit.
Thank you all for the welcome! And thanks for your advice, Kerastes. The Univ. library thankfully has a copy of Doderleins, which I’m using till I can buy one. Apparently, I am the first person to check it out since they began to use computers for the catalogues (some decades ago).
I have faced the same problem. When I began to learn Latin, my teacher never used any composition to reinforce the material. I have recently begun to use one of the composition books from textkit, and it has aided my competence in Latin immensely. I cannot imagine how well I could understand English poetry if I had never written a word of the language; the same problem occurred when I was first learning Latin. Writing in the language really helps a person comprehend certain usages.
Except for some subtelties (both constructions are possible in the same meaning with some verbs) :
ut + subj. (the corresponding negation being ne) denotes always an intention : always someone either wants (or allow) something or is busy doing (or avoiding) something (or makes it).
(this clause is in fact a clause of purpose).
acc. + inf. (“infinitive clause”) expresses more frequently a fact (no intention involved). However, it is also used with some verbs denoting an intention like sinere, pati, vetare, iubere, cogere.
Note.- with some verbs, the meaning differs according to the used construction; e. g. :
Magister discipulis persuasit ut bene discerent “The teacher persuaded his pupils well to study”. (a noble intention, it isn’t ?)
Magister parentibus persuasit discipulos bene discere “The teacher persuaded the parents that the pupils were studying well.” (It is a matter of fact, Ladies and Gentlemen, it is true).
