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    Mother's Education

    Latin for Moms: How to Determine the Gender of a 3rd Declension Noun (A Flow Chart)

    July 28, 2014 by Brandy Vencel

    I haven’t written much about Latin in a while. Well, in a year. Anyhoo, that is beside the point. The point is: the third declension is a frustrating mess because it is basically the wastebasket of all declensions. I mean, yes, all these nouns are declined similarly, which tells us that they are, in fact, a family. But the declension itself is full of masculine, feminine, and neuter nouns, and telling the difference is complicated.

    Latin+for+Moms+2.png

    When my son and I were debating over this again, I decided to make a flow chart to prove that I was right help my son in his studies. I actually printed it out on index paper to make a sort of bookmark to rub it in be even more helpful. I’m sharing it here, but please note that there are some exceptions. I noted that on the chart, but I wanted to point it out, just in case. However, comma, this chart will help you determine the gender of the vast majority of third declension nouns, so it’s still useful.

    So here you have it:

    To get this image in as printable bookmarks, just fill out the form below and it’ll be emailed to you:

    May all your Latin journeys be blessed!


    Read More in This Series:

    Lesson 1: Understanding the Five Basic Cases
    Lesson 2: What Does Declining Mean?
    Lesson 3: A Preposition Inside the Genitive Case
    Lesson 4: A Preposition Inside the Dative Case
    Lesson 5: How to Determine the Gender of a 3rd Declension Noun (A Flow Chart) ← you are here

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    10 Comments

  • Reply Aaron January 4, 2018 at 2:40 pm

    You are a hero!

    • Reply Brandy Vencel January 4, 2018 at 4:28 pm

      Why, thank you. It’s my only super power. 😉

  • Reply Arky April 27, 2017 at 8:23 pm

    hi, I’m just wondering why ‘or’ is in ERROR and SOX, because if it ended in ‘-or’ i wouldn’t have to check SOX, so I’m a little confused…
    sorry if I sound rude, I’m just confused.

    • Reply Arky April 27, 2017 at 8:25 pm

      OMG I’m so sorry, I’m only now realising that you meant or as in the conjunction…
      sorry 🙁

  • Reply Marva September 8, 2016 at 4:44 pm

    I love this chart and would like to use it in my class. However, I cannot get it to print correctly. Do you have this as a single file? Thank you!!!

    • Reply Brandy Vencel September 8, 2016 at 5:41 pm

      If you fill out the form at the bottom of the post, it’ll email you a printable PDF that has it formatted as two bookmarks. 🙂

      • Reply Marva September 19, 2016 at 6:08 pm

        Thanks! I’m just now seeing this. 🙂

  • Reply Tracy Richardson September 23, 2015 at 11:20 am

    Brilliant! I will be using this to teach my beginning Latin students. Thank you.

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