Isn't the phrase "ex nihilo" incorrect latin?

Question

I mean, incorrect in its usage of prepositions. For example, one would say "ex urbe" and not "e urbe," and "a militibus" but not "ab militibus," because one uses "ex" or "ab" when the word starts with a vowel and use an "e "or "a" when the word starts with a consanant.

This is just like in english where we say "an elephant" instead of "a elephant" or "a pie" instead of "an pie."

So, shouldn't the latin phrase "ex nihilo" really be "e nihilo"?

Answer 1

The loss of x before a consonant was not a regular rule of Latin, e.g., ex tempore, ex quo, ex re, ex parte. I'm not sure what the rule was, but my gut feeling is that the x was dropped before a consonant in very early Latin, but that by classical times it was only irregularly dropped and new constructions included the x.

I just looked it up in a Latin grammar and while it does not explain the historical circumstances it simply says e before consonants, ex before consonants and vowels. That would still correspond to my gut feeling

Answer 2

on the choice! To die is a organic and organic technique. The cessation of existence is a metaphorical extension of the belief. That metaphor additionally implies a non-organic and organic factor of existence--a soul or spirit, in case you will--because of the fact in maximum circumstances of dying, there is particularly a continuation of existence, often because of the fact this style of gruesome continues to be that save the specific-outcomes crews busy on "CSI" and "Bones." As to the metaphorical experience, we haven't any foundation at targeted on assuming that passing out of our selection of interplay actual ability passing out of existence. you in basic terms assume it, in simple terms as others assume an afterlife. On a miles less philosophical and simpler point, Christians comprehend what dying is. We in simple terms assert that it is not extra everlasting a state than our modern-day existence, and that Jesus the two experienced dying and verified its impermanence. you would be able to disagree, in spite of the undeniable fact that it is unbelievably stupid to assume that we don't comprehend what we are asserting. you're arguing from willful lack of information of our place, in simple terms like the creationists who so frequently declare that the belief of evolution misunderstands the character of existence.

Answer 3

The simple rule is "ex" before all letters.
"e" before consonants only.

Retaining the x perhaps gives more force to the word and may explain why it occurs more frequently.
In your example, either will do.