SIDSPACE

SIDSPACE is an acronym or mnemonic used in teaching Latin to help students remember which prepositions take the ablative case.^[1][2] By some, SIDSPACE is playfully known as the ablative astronaut.

SIDSPACE stands for the following prepositions: sub, in, de, sine, pro, ab, cum, and ex.^[1][2] Although not all of these words take the ablative case in every context, all of them do take it some of the time. For example, 'in' takes the ablative case when expressing location, as in "He is in Italy," but takes the accusative case when it is expressing motion, such as "He went into Italy."

The mnemonic omits some of the less common prepositions, which are included in the rhyme:

A, ab, absque, coram, de,

palam, clam, cum, ex or e,

sine, tenus, pro and prae.

Sub, subter, super, in beside

when state not motion is implied.

A second version goes as follows:

A, ab, absque, coram, de,

palam, clam, cum, ex or e,

sine, tenus, pro and prae

Govern the ablative every day.

To these, if rest at is intended,

In, sub, super, must be appended.

{Sub means under and super means above.)

A third version is as follows:

A, ab, absque, coram, de,

Sine, tenus, pro and prae

Palam, clam, cum, ex and e,

Plus super, subter, sub and in

When rest not motion 'tis you mean.

References