Grant me the power of discerning the materials something is composed of.

[Darklander]

How does one translate the words in bold in the following sentence?

Grant me the power of discerning the materials something is composed of.

Da mihi potestatem cernendi materias cuidam_________.

The above is my translation of everthing but the words in bold.

 

[Callaina]

Easiest to use an indirect question here, I think.

Da mihi potestatem cernendi ex quibus materiis aliquid compositum sit.

 

[Darklander]

Could please include the English translation

 

[Callaina]

"Give me the power of discerning out of what materials something is composed."

 

[Darklander]

Thanks

 

[Callaina]

Yw.

 

[Callaina]

Although, on second thought, this might be better:

Da mihi potestatem cernendi ex qualibus materiis aliquid compositum sit.

"Give me the power of determining out of what sort of materials something is composed."

Pacifica, what do you think?

 

[Pacifica]

They both work in their own way. It depends whether you just want to know the identity of the materials ("out of which/what materials", ex quibus materiis) or the quality or characteristics of the materials ("out of what sort of materials", ex qualibus materiis).

 

[Callaina]

Ok, thanks.