Expertlatin
When hic and ille are used like this, they refer to the distance of words: hic refers to the closest noun, ille the one that came first. In your example, you have first pontus and then aer. Hic therefore refers to the one closer to the pronoun, and since aer is closer to hic than pontus, it must refer to that.
- What is the difference between hic and ille?
- What is the difference between is and Ille in Latin?
- What is the former the latter in Latin?
What is the difference between hic and ille?
Hic means "this" when used as a demonstrative pronoun; ille and iste mean "that." Hic, as a demonstrative adjective still means "this;" ille and iste still mean "that." Is is a fourth, weaker demonstrative, known as "determinative." As with most rules of grammar, there can be exceptions.
What is the difference between is and Ille in Latin?
Re: is and ille
ille is a demonstrative and can generally be translated as "that". So, ille vir is "that man", illa femina is "that woman" etc. Is is a personal pronoun. It generally means "He".
What is the former the latter in Latin?
Thus ille can mean “the former,” and hic “the latter.” The next word, alter, altera, alterum, means “the other.” It's a first/second-declension adjective. This is the Latin word that gives us words like “alternate” or “alternative.”
