Ch. 57

HW: 57A 2-8, 57B 4

FURTHER POINTS ON CONDITIONS

Section 571

When we say "could have", "ought to have", "should have", or "might have", Latin will make the main modal/helping verb perfect and use a present infinitive.

Examples:
He could/might have helped. {possibility
Potuit adiuvare.

You ought to have come./You should have come. {suitability, obligation
Debuisti venire.
Venire te(acc. subj. of inf.) oportuit.
Tibi(dat. of agent) veniendum fuit.

Section 572

The above constructions may be used in the main clause of a past contrary-to-fact (past ideal) condition. Normally these conditions require a pluperfect subjuntive in both clauses but the above constructions in the indicative imply the same kind of situation as a normal verb in the subjunctive.

Examples:
We could have won if you(pl.) had helped us.
Vincere potuimus si nobis succurrissetis.

They ought to have been praised if they had fought.
Debuerunt laudari si pugnavissent.
Eos laudari oportuit...
Laudandi fuerunt...

Section 573

In Latin, a si clause with a present or imperfect subjunctive (following sequence of tenses) is used to represent the same situation as we have in an English clause beginning "to see if", "in case", "in hope". All of these deal with the hope or expectation of some possible event. In Latin, such clauses often occur after verbs that indicate waiting for, expecting, or trying to do something.

Examples:
I waited in the hope of your coming (gerund). ...of you coming(participle).
I waited in case you would come. ...you came.
Rephrased Closer to Latin: I waited (to see) if you were coming.
Expectabam si venires (impf. subj.).

They will try in the hope of crossing the river.
They will try in case they may cross the river.
Rephrased Closer to Latin: They will try (to see) if they may cross the river.
Conabuntur si flumen transeant (pres. subj.).

Section 574

"Than if" and "as...as if" may both be translated with quam si. If so, the verb of the si clause will fit whatever kind of condition you have, sometimes subjunctive and sometimes indicative. Other expressions meaning "as if" include "ac si" or "perinde ac si", and they follow the same rules.

THAN IF = Quam si
It is better than if we were there. (present contrary to fact)
Melius est quam si ibi essemus(impf. subj.).

AS..AS IF = Tam...quam si
We ran as quickly as if a dragon had chased us. (past contrary to fact)
Tam celeriter cucurrimus quam si draco nos persecutus esset (plup. subj.).
*Note similar constructions such as tot...quot si are possible.

AS IF = (perinde) ac si
He spoke as if he will/would be the next consul. (future more vivid/future less vivid)
Dixit (perinde) ac si proximus consul erit(fut. ind.)/sit(pres. subj.).

Tamquam (literally "so much as") and quasi (a contraction of quam si) may also translate "as if", but the verb will always be subjunctive following sequence of tenses.

Examples:
You are acting as if you are king.
Agis quasi/tamquam rex sis.

We were building the walls as if we had not heard that the enemy was approaching.
Muros aedificabamus quasi/tamquam non audivissemus hostes advenire.