Moods

Subordinate Subjunctive Clauses and the Sequence of Tenses

Purpose clauses use only the present and imperfect subjunctive tenses. They are easily recognized. Result clauses and indirect questions are a bit more complex. The following chart may help you recognize what tense to use. The tenses can be divided into two groups, primary and secondary.

A primary tense of the main verb is followed by a primary tense of the subordinate subjunctive. An historical tense of the main verb (i.e., any past tense) is followed by an historical tense in the subjunctive. The terms 'Secondary' (or 'Historical') and 'Primary' are used to clarify the categories, but you can call them Group I and Group II work just as well.

Primary Sequence

When the subjunctive clause has action that occurs at the same time or after the main verb, as in

They ask why Marcus is sitting in the cart.

...both the asking and Marcus' presence in the cart are in the same time frame. The asking is in present time, and you have a present - present sequence. If I say,

They will ask why Marcus is sitting in the cart.

... use a future - present sequence.

When the subjunctive tense has action that has occurred before the time of the main verb, as in

They ask why Marcus was sitting in the cart.

...use the perfect tense in the subjunctive clause. This is a present - perfect sequence.

Or you may use a future - perfect sequence:

They will ask why Marcus was sitting in the cart.

Secondary (Historic) Sequence

When the subjunctive clause has action that occurs at the same time or after the main verb, as in

They asked why Marcus was sitting in the cart.

...both the asking and Marcus' being in the cart happen at the same time. Since the asking is in past time, you would have a perfect - imperfect sequence.

When the subjunctive tense has action that has occurred previously to the time of the main verb, as in

They asked why Marcus had sat in the cart.

...use the pluperfect tense in the subjunctive clause: a perfect - pluperfect sequence.

Exerceamur: Write the following sentences in Latin:

1. He asked where the student had learned this.
2. She will see how great the strength of their words had been.
3. They ask why you cannot go with us.
4. We did not know why he spoke sharply.
5. Others are driven out lest they see the same thing.

Answers:

1. Rogavit ubi discipulus hoc didicisset. perfect...pluperfect prior time
2. Videbit quanta vis verborum eorum fuerit future...perfect future time
3. Rogant cur nobiscum possis non ire. present...present same time
4. Nescivimus cur acriter diceret. perfect..imperfect same time
5. Ceterî expellantur ne viderint ipsum. present...perfect same time

Spectemus verbas magistrorum (let's look at the words of the masters). Name the tenses of the main verb and subordinate subjunctive verb:

1. Dulce est videre quibus malîs ipse careas. (Lucretius)
2. Videtis quantum scelus contra rem publicam vobis nuntiatum sit. (Cicero)
3. Multi dubitabant quid optimum esset. (Cicero)
4. Rogabat denique cur umquam fugissent. ( Horace)
5. Nunc scio quid sit amor. (Virgil)
6. Quaeris, Lesbia, quot basia tua mihi satis sint. (Catullus)
7. Incipiam exponere unde natura omnes res creet. (Lucretius)
8. Videamus uter plus scribere possit. (Horace)
9. Isti autem rogant tantum quid habeas non cur et unde. (Seneca)
10. Auctorem Troiani belli relegi, qui dicit quid sit pulchrum. (Horace)

Translations:

1. It is sweet to see in what evils you yourself are lacking. (present...present)
2. You see how much crime against the government has been announced (charged) to you. (present...perfect passive)
3. Many doubted what was the best. (imperfect...imperfect)
4. He asked finally why they had ever fled. (imperfect...pluperfect)
5. Now I know what love is. (present...present)
6. You ask, Lesbia, how many kisses are enough for me. (present...present)
7. I will begin to explain from where nature creates all things. (future...present)
8. Let us see whether he can write more. (present, hortatory subjunctive...present)
9. They ask however what you have, not why and from where. (present...present)
10. I have reread the author of the Trojan War who says what is beautiful. (present...present)

Subjunctive Clauses, Part 2 (Indirect Clauses)

^ Grammatica