4. Not the accusative.
[ LESSON LIX]
NUMERALS (Continued) · THE ACCUSATIVE OF EXTENT
[333.] Learn the first twenty of the ordinal numerals ([§ 478]). The ordinals are all declined like bonus.
[334.] The distributive numerals are declined like the plural of bonus. The first three are
| singulī, -ae, -a, one each, one by one bīnī, -ae, -a, two each, two by two ternī, -ae, -a, three each, three by three |
[335.] We have learned that, besides its use as object, the accusative is used to express space relations not covered by the ablative. We have had such expressions as per plūrimōs annōs, for a great many years; per tōtum diem, for a whole day. Here the space relation is one of extent of time. We could also say per decem pedēs, for ten feet, where the space relation is one of extent of space. While this is correct Latin, the usual form is to use the accusative with no preposition, as,
| Vir tōtum diem cucurrit, the man ran for a whole day Caesar mūrum decem pedēs mōvit, Cæsar moved the wall ten feet |
[336.] Rule. Accusative of Extent. Duration of time and extent of space are expressed by the accusative.