7

Before a consonant on can use either version of the prepositions e/ex. Both seem to appear in prefixes as well, but ex- is often assimilated. It seems that, for example, words beginning with F take ex-: efficere, efferre, effundere… On the other hand, words beginning with L take e-: eligere, elevare, eloqui… My examples are verbs, but the pattern does not seem to be restricted to them.

This little observation suggests that some consonants (like L) require the prefix e- while others (like F) require ex-. Which ones take e- and which ones ex-? Are there perhaps consonants that can take either one? Is there an easy way to memorize or understand the division to two consonant types?

Improve this question
3
  • 2
    Related question about the prepositions rather than the prefixes: Why “ex nihilo” instead of “e nihilo”?
    – Asteroides
    Jan 23, 2017 at 23:20
  • 1
    I suspect it has to do with whether the consonant following is voiced or unvoiced (we have enervo, emendo, egredior but exsorbeo, expendo, extero).
    – Joel Derfner
    Feb 2, 2017 at 18:02
  • @JoelDerfner Good theory! I'll go through the consonants and see if it's true. If you have any ideas as to why it should be that way, please write an answer. I have no clue, other than it sounds better that way.
    – Joonas Ilmavirta ♦
    Feb 2, 2017 at 19:28

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
7

I went through all Latin consonants. All consonants seem to prefer only one of e- and ex-. I have only listed one example per consonant. There are no (or only few and rare) verbs starting with X or Z.

The prefix e-:

  • B: (e)bibere
  • D: (e)ducere
  • G1: (e)gerere
  • I2: (e)iurare, eicere < iacere
  • L: (e)loqui
  • M3: (e)mergere
  • N: (e)numerare
  • R4: (e)rumpere
  • V5: (e)vertere

The prefix ex-:

  • C: (ex)cedere
  • F: (ef)ferre
  • P: (ex)pellere
  • Q: exquirere < quaerere
  • S6: (ex)secare
  • T: (ex)tollere

1 L&S mentions exgurgitare as a synonym of egurgitare. I found no other such verbs.

2 I only included the consonantal I (or J). For vocalic I the prefix is ex-: ire > exire.

3 L&S mentions exmovere as a synonym of emovere. Otherwise e- is always used before M.

4 L&S mentions exradicare as a synonym of eradicare. There is also a rare exrogare.

5 I only included the consonantal V. For vocalic U (or V) the prefix is ex-: urere > exurere.

6 The exs- can become ex-; consider existere < sistere.

Conclusion: Voiced consonants take the prefix e-, unvoiced ones take ex-. There are very few exceptions. I have no idea why this is the way it is, other than it sounds more natural this way. See TKR's comment below for an explanation.

Improve this answer
1
  • 3
    This rule is part of a larger pattern: Latin generally disallows s before a voiced consonant, and historically such an s was lost, along with any consonant that immediately preceded it, and with compensatory lengthening of the preceding vowel. For example, vēlum 'sail' < wekslom, *āla 'wing' < aksla, *trēdecim '13' < *trēsdekim. It's thought that in such cases the [s] first became [z] by voicing assimilation and later was lost.
    – TKR
    Feb 3, 2017 at 0:57

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.