Learn Hardcore Latin: Canis videt.

Canis is in the nominative case because it is the subject of the verb videt. In Latin, the nominative case is used for the subject of a sentence.

Why doesn’t videt end in -s like an English verb might?

Latin verbs conjugate differently. In the present tense, the third-person singular active form typically ends in -t (like videt, amat, audit). There’s no -s ending because that’s just the way Latin grammar works.

Does the sentence always have to be Canis videt, or can I change the order?

Latin word order is flexible because the endings tell you each word’s grammatical function. You can say Videt canis, and it is still understood to mean that the dog is seeing. However, Canis videt is more straightforward and typical, especially for a beginner.

Is canis always masculine?

Usually canis is masculine, but it can also be feminine in some contexts. Traditional Latin dictionaries often indicate canis as an epicene noun, meaning it can be used to refer to a dog of either gender, depending on context.

Why doesn’t videt indicate that the subject is a dog?

Latin verbs don’t reflect gender in the third-person singular; just signifies . The noun or pronoun makes gender and number clear: here, (the dog) is the subject.