§ 183. Present for Future.—The Present is sometimes similarly used in speaking of events in the future, especially in the immediate future: nunc ăd inceptūm rĕdĕō now I will return to my subject.
So frequently with dum until; see § 410*.
The Perfect is sometimes similarly used for the Future Perfect: sī Brūtŭs cōnservātŭs ĕrĭt, vīcĭmus if Brutus is saved, we-shall-have-gained the victory.
§ 184. Past for Present—The. Imperfect and Pluperfect are often used in letters (and messages) where English has the Present and Perfect, the writer of the letter putting himself in the position of the receiver, and using the tense which he would use: Roscĭŭs ōrābat sĭbĭ ădessēs ad Pŭtĕal erās Roscius begs you to attend him to-morrow at the Puteal.
This is often called the Epistolary use of the Imperfect and Pluperfect.
Use of the Moods.
§ 185. The Indicative.—An action which is stated or which is treated as a fact is put in the Indicative: vīvō I am alive, făcĭam cum pŏtĕrō I will do it when I can.
It is not necessary that the action referred to should be a fact; indeed, this is impossible with future actions. It is enough for the speaker to treat it as if it were.
§ 186. The Imperative.—An action commanded is put in the Imperative; as, ăbi go away, ăbītō let-him-go away.
The heavier forms of the Second Person Imperative, as ămātō (sing ămātōtĕ (plur.), give an order less bluntly and directly than the shorter forms, but more authoritatively. They are often used in relation to the future, and are called by some Future Imperatives.
An action forbidden is not put in the Imperative. See § 191.
The Subjunctive.
§ 187. The Subjunctive Mood differs essentially from the Indicative, and its uses belong to four main kinds or types.
