Experience III, Lesson 31: Futurity in the Subjunctive
How the subjunctive can have a future meaning
- Recall that in the four Subjunctive Times there are NO future forms.
- However the meaning (future and future perfect) are there but hidden:
- T.1s and T.2s can function as a simple future
- T.3s and T.4s can function as future perfect
- Sometimes there is an indication of futurity, which is used with the simple subjunctive: cras - tomorrow, semper - always, omnino - altogether / entirely
- If not the active subjunctive is used with a futurity participle, forming a futurity formula (indirect question / temporal clause)
- e.g. ignoramus quid facturi sint = we do not know what they are going to do
- Recall: the futurity participle is always active, a passive form doesn't exist.
Go to Lesson 32
Third Experience Latin - Fr. Reginald Foster
Answers to Third ExperienceReturn to Index