Latin/Lesson 2-Subjunctive Use

.The subjunctive mood has several uses in Latin, the most notable of which are: First Person Exhortations Purpose Clauses Result Clauses Indirect Commands 

Definition, Common Usage and Expression in Latin
An exhortation is a statement which expresses a wish. In English, the most common exhortation is "let's go". Other possibilities are "would go", "should go" and "may go". In Latin, these statements are equally as often used and are expressed in the present subjunctive active tense.

Definition, Common Usage and Expression in Latin
A purpose clause is a clause which expresses that someone did something in order that something else might happen. In English they usually contain the words in order to or so that. In Latin this concept is expressed by the words ut and ne followed by a verb in the subjunctive mood. Ut means "so that" or "in order to" and ne means "lest." In purpose clauses, only forms of the imperfect (following the secondary sequence of tenses) and present (for the primary sequence) are used.

Definition, Common Usage and Expression in Latin
Result clauses state that something occurred as a result of something else happening. For a positive result, use ut. For a negative result, use ut... non.

Result clauses are normally recognisable by a signpost word in the main clause:

tam = so (with adjective or adverb) tantus, -a, -um = so big, tot (indecl) = so many talis, -e = such, of such a sort adeo = so much, to such an extent (with verb) ita = so, in such a way (with verb) totiens = so often, so many times (with verb)

Definition, Common Usage and Expression in Latin
An indirect command is a statement like the following: "He ordered her to do x". The English equivalent words are "to" or "that they should" It can also take the form of "I am ordering you to do x", as opposed to the imperative "DO X!". Several verbs in Latin take the subjunctive mood with indirect commands: rogo, rogare, rogavi, rogatum - to ask persuadeo, persuadere, persuasi, persuasum - to persuade impero, imperare, -imperavi, imperatum - to order peto, petere petivi, petitum - to seek, ask for</li> </ol> These verbs use an ut/ne + the subjunctive construction.

Definition, Common Usage and Expression in Latin
The subjunctive is used in indirect questions. For example, the question 'What are you doing?' is direct, while "He asked what I was doing" is indirect. In Latin, the verb in the clause containing the indirect question must be in the subjunctive.

Examples

 * Imperator milites rogat si castra ceperent The general asks the soldiers if they captured the camp.
 * Eum rogo quid faciat I am asking him what he is doing.
 * Magister pueros rogat utrum laborent an ludant The teacher asks the boys whether they are working or playing.