Get Deponent Verbs Latin Worksheet 2020-2026

Regular, non-deponent verbs have active principal parts by default. So their first principal part ends in -ō. Deponent verbs only have passive endings, so their first principal part ends in -or. Notice as well that deponent verbs only have three principal parts, instead of the standard four.

In Latin grammar, the ablative case (cāsus ablātīvus) includes functions derived from the Indo-European ablative, instrumental, comitative, associative and locative cases; these cases express concepts similar to those of the English prepositions "of"/"from", "by", "with", "to"/"with", and "at"/"in", respectively.

There are five deponent verbs which take their object in the ablative case, rather than the accusative case. These are the PUFF-V, potior, utor, fruor, fungor, and vēscor, and this ablative is an ablative of means.

Deponent or semi-deponent verbs have only three principal parts (with -tus/-sus sum for the third). They do not have a perfect active stem (corresponding to the third principal part) There are two basic types, those in -t- and those in -s-.

A special version of the ablative of means is found with the deponents: utor, vescor, fungor, fruor, and .... These verbs were originally in the "middle voice" -- that is, the actor accomplished the action on behalf of himself. (Cf. English: "I bathe." That means, "I bathe myself" or "I get myself bathed".

When a Latin verb is passive in form, but has an active meaning, it is called a deponent verb. For example: sequor, sequi, secutus sum (3) means 'to follow' and not 'to be followed'. Even though it appears to be passive, it is translated with an active meaning and can have an object following it.

(4)Utor, fruor, fungor, potior and vescor are deponent verbs which expect the ablative case. The term “deponent” means “put down or aside.” It refers to verbs which have “dropped” or “put aside” their active endings.