Basic Latin question (preposition)

[Fran51]

How do you know whether to use "ex" or "ab" in a sentence like "They hurried out of the town"? Thank you.

[Faithr]

I don't really know but I'm guessing that 'ab' is the opposite of 'ad'. So it connotes more that some thing is not there as opposed to being there. Whereas 'ex' means more of the idea of something going out of something else. So I would guess (just guessing here!) that ex would make more sense than ab in your sentence.

[Fran51]

Okay, and can anyone else help with this?:confused:

[happydays]

How do you know whether to use "ex" or "ab" in a sentence like "They hurried out of the town"? Thank you.

 

Our latin program explains it this way:

a or ab means away from (distant from), while e or ex means out from (departing from).

 

agricola longe ab oppido abest

The farmer is far away from the town.

 

puer epistulam ex oppido portabat

The boy carried the letter out from the town.

 

So, in your sentence ex would be used as they are hurrying out from the town they are not already away from it.

 

HTH

 

Sarah

[Fran51]

How do you know whether to use "ex" or "ab" in a sentence like "They hurried out of the town"? Thank you.

 

Our latin program explains it this way:

a or ab means away from (distant from), while e or ex means out from (departing from).

 

agricola longe ab oppido abest

The farmer is far away from the town.

 

puer epistulam ex oppido portabat

The boy carried the letter out from the town.

 

So, in your sentence ex would be used as they are hurrying out from the town they are not already away from it.

 

HTH

 

Sarah

 

Thanks. It's starting to make more sense now.:)