International Journal of Philology

Functional and stylistic features of genitive constructions in Latin

Vasyl Shynkaruk, Oleksandra Shynkaruk
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Abstract

The relevance of studying the functional and stylistic features of genitive constructions is determined by their key role in shaping the syntactic organisation of the text, conveying semantic nuances, and revealing the stylistic specificity of Latin linguistic monuments of various genres. The aim of the study was to identify, systematise, and characterise the functional-stylistic features of genitive constructions in the Latin language, taking into account their semantic, syntactic, and text-forming parameters. The research employed a set of comprehensive methods – from sampling to contextual analysis – combining syntactic and functional approaches. A wide range of semantic nuances acquired by the genitive case depending on the context, type of phrase, and stylistic orientation of the text was analysed. The study describes the distinctions between the subjective and objective genitive, the genitive of possession, the genitive of quality, and other varieties that ensure the flexibility and polysemy of Latin expression and allow for a deeper understanding of the formal-grammatical nature of the genitive. It has been determined that the genitive in Latin not only serves as a formal marker of subordination but also functions as a means of conveying semantic precision, logical coherence, and emotional-expressive nuances. It has been substantiated that genitive constructions can emphasise the intellectual, social, or moral characteristics of a subject, creating a specific expressive effect in the text. It has been demonstrated that genitive constructions constitute an important factor in shaping the semantic structure of a Latin sentence and serve as a universal means of expressing the logical, emotional, and figurative components of the language. The results of the study are significant for further research in the fields of Latin grammar, comparative linguistics, and stylistics. The practical value of the study lies in the fact that its results can be used by specialists in classical philology, translators of Latin texts, instructors of historical linguistics and stylistics, as well as scholars of ancient literature to improve the accuracy of text interpretation and enable a deeper analysis of the linguistic structure of ancient sources. The findings of the research may also be applied in future scholarly works concerning the semantic and syntactic structure of sentences

Keywords

genitive case; sentence; syntax; semantics; stylistics

Suggested citation
Shynkaruk, V., & Shynkaruk, O. (2026). Functional and stylistic features of genitive constructions in Latin. International Journal of Philology, 17(1), 9-27. https://doi.org/10.31548/philolog/1.2026.09
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