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🏛️elementary latin review

Mons altus est

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025

Definition

The phrase 'mons altus est' translates to 'the mountain is high' in English. This term illustrates the use of predicate nominatives and adjectives in Latin, where 'mons' (mountain) serves as the subject, 'altus' (high) functions as an adjective describing the subject, and 'est' (is) acts as the linking verb. This structure demonstrates how Latin connects subjects with their descriptions, emphasizing the relationship between a noun and its qualities.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. 'Mons' is a masculine noun in the nominative case, while 'altus' is an adjective that must agree with it in gender and number.
  2. 'Est' is the third person singular present tense form of the verb 'esse', meaning 'to be', and it serves as the linking verb in this sentence.
  3. The structure 'mons altus est' can be used to make simple descriptive statements about other nouns by following the same pattern.
  4. In Latin, adjectives can appear before or after the noun, but following it, as in this phrase, is common for emphasis.
  5. Understanding this phrase helps in recognizing how Latin uses similar structures for complex sentences involving descriptions and qualities.

Review Questions

  • How does the phrase 'mons altus est' exemplify the function of predicate nominatives in Latin?
    • 'Mons altus est' exemplifies predicate nominatives by showcasing how the adjective 'altus' describes the subject 'mons'. The verb 'est' links these two elements, indicating that the mountain is high. This shows how Latin employs linking verbs to connect subjects with their characteristics effectively.
  • In what ways does adjective agreement play a role in the phrase 'mons altus est', and why is it important?
    • 'Mons altus est' highlights adjective agreement by demonstrating that the adjective 'altus' agrees with its noun 'mons' in gender (masculine), number (singular), and case (nominative). This agreement is crucial because it maintains grammatical accuracy within Latin sentences and ensures clarity of meaning when describing nouns.
  • Evaluate how understanding phrases like 'mons altus est' can enhance one's comprehension of more complex Latin sentences.
    • Understanding simple phrases like 'mons altus est' provides a foundational grasp of how Latin structures work, particularly with predicate nominatives and adjectives. This comprehension allows learners to tackle more complex sentences by recognizing patterns of subject-verb-adjective relationships. As learners encounter longer phrases or sentences, their ability to break down components using these foundational elements aids in overall fluency and interpretation of Latin texts.