Ch 9 · Lesson 9Latin · Chapter 9 · Lesson 9 · Grammar primer
The imperfect subjunctive: vocaret, esset
, ; , : the infinitive plus an ending, for every verb, the irregulars included. And the passive subjunctives: , .
The short version
The imperfect subjunctive is the tidiest form in Latin
, ; ,
Why?Hide
Take the present active infinitive exactly as the dictionary prints it and add -m, -s, -t, -mus, -tis, -nt. gives , gives , gives , and , , , and give , , , , . Every verb with an active infinitive follows it, and deponents act as if they had one (). The present subjunctive costs a little more: the first conjugation swaps its -a- for an -e-, and every other conjugation takes an -a-.
The imperfect subjunctive: infinitive plus ending
Take the present active infinitive, exactly as the dictionary prints it, and add -m, -s, -t, -mus, -tis, -nt:
| Infinitive | he | they |
|---|---|---|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
The irregular verbs need no rule of their own: their infinitives are the irregular part, and the trick uses them as they stand. A word that looks like an infinitive with an ending stuck on is an imperfect subjunctive.
On its own, it makes a wish about now that cannot come true:
Utinam !- If only he were here! (He is not.)
Two details
| Form | What it is | English |
|---|---|---|
| deponent: | (if) I were speaking |
| a twin of | (if) I were |
Passive forms
Put the passive endings (-r, -ris, -tur) on the same stems:
| Verb | Present | Imperfect |
|---|---|---|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
The first petition of the Lord's Prayer is one, a present passive subjunctive:
Sanctificetur .- Hallowed be thy name. (Matthew 6:9, in the Vulgate)
is a : let him follow, active as always.
Going further: A mood, not a tense and the rest of the guide, when you want them. This lesson does not need them.
Practice
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One question at a time, mixed across the exercises in this lesson. Miss one and it comes back round before the end.
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