Chapter 30Chapter 30

Indirect QuestionsIndirect Questions

Sequence of TensesSequence of Tenses

Indirect QuestionsIndirect Questions

Another subordinate use of the Another subordinate use of the subjunctive.subjunctive.

Reports what someone asks without Reports what someone asks without directly quoting that person.directly quoting that person.

Similar to the concept of the Indirect Similar to the concept of the Indirect Statement with a Subjunctive verb Statement with a Subjunctive verb instead of an accusative-infinitive instead of an accusative-infinitive construction.construction.

Indirect QuestionsIndirect Questions

Identified by:Identified by:– a main verb of asking, telling, thinking a main verb of asking, telling, thinking

(similar to indirect statement)(similar to indirect statement)– an interrogative word an interrogative word – a subjunctive verb in the subordinate a subjunctive verb in the subordinate

clauseclause Interrogatives:Interrogatives:

– quis, quid / quī, quae, quodquis, quid / quī, quae, quod– quam, quandō, cūr, ubi, unde, uter, quam, quandō, cūr, ubi, unde, uter,

utrum, an, -neutrum, an, -ne

English ExamplesEnglish Examples

Dad asked us where we were going Dad asked us where we were going today.today.

The class wondered what questions The class wondered what questions would be on the next test.would be on the next test.

The children debated whether Santa The children debated whether Santa Claus brought the presents or not.Claus brought the presents or not.

Latin ExamplesLatin Examples

ille auctor narrābat nōbīs quantā cum ille auctor narrābat nōbīs quantā cum cūrā Rōmulus moenia urbis condidisset.cūrā Rōmulus moenia urbis condidisset.

ōrātor repente rogāvit cūr cēterī cīvēs ōrātor repente rogāvit cūr cēterī cīvēs ingenium huius virī nōn cognōvissent.ingenium huius virī nōn cognōvissent.

nesciō utrum vīvī an mortuī plūs honōris nesciō utrum vīvī an mortuī plūs honōris crās acceptūrī sint.crās acceptūrī sint.

Sequence of TensesSequence of Tenses

This describes the way in which a This describes the way in which a speaker/writer proceeds from the speaker/writer proceeds from the main clause into a subordinate clause.main clause into a subordinate clause.

So, in English one can’t say, “I was So, in English one can’t say, “I was there when he there when he isis here.” To be correct, here.” To be correct, one must say, “I was there when he one must say, “I was there when he waswas here.” here.”

Because the main clause contains a Because the main clause contains a past tense verb the subordinate past tense verb the subordinate clause agrees in its tense.clause agrees in its tense.

Latin Sequence StructureLatin Sequence Structure

Because subordination is often Because subordination is often indicated by the subjunctive mood in indicated by the subjunctive mood in Latin, the sequence of tenses begins Latin, the sequence of tenses begins with an indicative verb (usually) and with an indicative verb (usually) and then contains a subjunctive in the then contains a subjunctive in the subordinate clause.subordinate clause.

There are two groupings in Latin There are two groupings in Latin sequence of tenses: Primary and sequence of tenses: Primary and Secondary (Historical)Secondary (Historical)

Primary SequencePrimary Sequence

This sequence is made up of This sequence is made up of incomplete action tenses incomplete action tenses – PresentPresent– FutureFuture

The subordinates for primary The subordinates for primary sequence are eithersequence are either– Present subjunctive – action at the same Present subjunctive – action at the same

timetime– Perfect subjunctive – action previous toPerfect subjunctive – action previous to

Secondary SequenceSecondary Sequence

This sequence is made up of This sequence is made up of complete action tensescomplete action tenses– All past tensesAll past tenses

The subordinates for secondary The subordinates for secondary sequence aresequence are– Imperfect subjunct. – action at the same Imperfect subjunct. – action at the same

timetime– Pluperfect subjunct. – action previous toPluperfect subjunct. – action previous to

The Main PointThe Main Point

The main thing to remember is that The main thing to remember is that the subjunctive in the subordinate the subjunctive in the subordinate clause will translate to English clause will translate to English differently depending upon its main differently depending upon its main clause verb.clause verb.