Questions about Helnle I ex. 236 #22 and #32

[bygrace28@roadrunner.com]

Instructions were to translate to Latin.

22. The enemy was driven into the forest.

Answer key reads: Hostes in silvas pulsi sunt.

Is the verb pulsi, because hostes (although feminine) is masculine? Let me restate my question. Why is pulsi used rather than pulsae?

32. The attack was withstood by the battle line.

Answer key reads: Impetum ab acie sustentum est.

Why is impetum in the accusative case rather than the nominative?

Thank you for helping us.

Blessings,
Lilli

[tanya]

Hello.

Henle Ex. 236, #22: Hostis, hostis is masculine most of the time. The only time it would be feminine would be if the army were exclusively made up of women. The confusion is that Henle gives a rule for masculine nouns, but then doesn't note that this is an exception to that rule. Also, if you look at the vocabulary list at the end of the book, hostis is not listed with a gender. But if you look up 'enemy' in the English-Latin vocab. list, it does specify that 'hostis' is masculine. But you really shouldn't have to do all that searching around.

Henle Ex. 236, #32: This is indeed an incorrect key answer. You are right! It should read 'impetus,' not 'impetum.'

Good catch! Let us know if you find anything else.

Tanya

[bygrace28@roadrunner.com]

Dear Tanya,

My bad, as my kids would say. I thought because hostis ends with s, that it would follow the "sox" rule; however, the natural gender rule would override and as a result the word would still be considered masculine. As you can see, I have confused myself. Aaaghghghgh!

Thank you very much for answering my questions.

Best regards,
Lilli

[tanya]

You're welcome. But I think the confusion lies with Henle, not with you. That word should have been marked as an exception and the gender should be listed with the vocabulary word for better clarity.

I think you're doing a great job! Keep it up.

Tanya