§ 381. The Perfect Infinitive is sometimes used where Eng. has a Pres., especially after Verbs of wishing with a Negative, and in the Pass., often without essĕ. The action is usually regarded as complete, quis tē nōlit pĕrīsse? who would not wish you to die ? (to be dead), mŏnĭtōs eōs vŏlŏ I wish to warn them.
Subjunctive in Principal Sentences.
§ 382. The Subjunctive of Desire (Negative nē) is used of events which it is desired should happen. It is used—
(1) In Wishes and Hopes (§ 189),
(2) In Request and Command (§ 189). Also—
(3) In requesting a Supposition to be made; in English grant that, allow that: nē sĭt sānē summum mălum dŏlŏr, mălum certē est allow that pain is not the greatest evil, an evil it certainly is.
§ 383. The Subjunctive of Imagination (Negative nōn) is used of events which it is thought might happen or might have happened.[1]
The Primary Tenses refer to the Future, and are to be translated by can, might, should, or would.
The Secondary Tenses generally refer to the Past, and are to be translated by should have or would have. Sometimes they refer to the Present, and are to be translated by should or would:
1. Quĭs tē dŭbĭtĕt sĕquī? who can hesitate to follow you? quĭs dŭbĭtāssĕt Caesărem sĕqui? who could have hesitated to follow Casar?
Vĕlim hōc mĭhĭ īgnōscās I could wish you would forgive me this; māllem Rōmae essĕ I should prefer to be in Rome. So in Questions and Exclamations: quidnī memĭnerim? why should I not remember? (meaning, of course, I can), ĕgŏne ut tē interpellem? I interrupt you? (lit. how should I interrupt you?').
2. Suāsĕrim tĭbĭ ŭt tăcĕās I should advise you to be silent; făcĭlĕ persuāsissem tĭbĭ ŭt tăcērēs I could easily have persuaded you to be silent.
Ită pulchra est, dĕam pŭtes so beautiful is she, you would think her a goddess; ĭtă, pulchră ĕrăt Hĕlĕnă, dĕam pŭbtārēs
- ↑ The Subjunctives under this head are hence sometimes called Potential.
