Chapter 17. The Imperfect Subjunctive

Cum (conj.): when; since; while; although. Clāmārem is the first person singular imperfect subjunctive form of clāmō, clāmāre, clāmāvī, clāmātum (1): to cry out, shout (subjunctive because it’s in a historical cum clause). Ad (prep.): to (takes the accusative). Eum is the masculine accusative singular form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this, that. Exaudīvit is the third person singular perfect form of exaudiō, exaudīre, exaudīvī/exaudiī, exaudītum (4): to hear clearly; hear and pay attention, listen to, heed; hear and grant someone’s request. Mē is the accusative form of ego.

Palam (adv.): openly, publicly. Laudārēs is the second person singular imperfect subjunctive form of laudō, laudāre, laudāvī, laudātum (1): to praise (subjunctive because it’s describing a potential—an act under hypothetical circumstances).

Quid is the neuter accusative singular form of quis/quis/quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? Aliud is the neuter accusative singular form of alius/alia/aliud (1/2, irreg.): other, another, different. Rogārēs is the second person singular imperfect subjunctive form of rogō, rogāre, rogāvī, rogātum (1): to ask, request (imperfect subjunctive because it’s describing a present contrary-to-fact situation). Sī (conj.): if. Essēs victus is the second person masculine singular pluperfect passive subjunctive form of vincō, vincere, vīcī, victum (3): to conquer, defeat; win, be victorious (pluperfect subjunctive because it’s a past contrary-to-fact condition; see Chapter 19).

Nimiae is the feminine nominative plural form of nimius/nimia/nimium (1/2): too much, excessive. Voluptātēs is the nominative plural form of voluptās, voluptātis (3f): pleasure. Cum (conj.): when; since; while; although. Vacāret is the third person singular imperfect subjunctive form of vacō, vacāre, vacāvī, vacātum (1): to be at leisure; have time. (Note that cum clauses with the imperfect subjunctive most typically refer to one particular occasion, but here the verb describes something habitual. This usage became common in later authors. Cicero would probably have used a temporal cum clause with the imperfect indicative here.)

Ōderat is the third person singular imperfect form of ōdī, ōdisse, ōsum (4): to hate (the form is technically pluperfect but has the meaning of an imperfect). Quōs is the masculine accusative plural form of quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Nōs: we. Amārēmus is the first person plural imperfect subjunctive form of amō, amāre, amāvī, amātum (1): to love (subjunctive because it’s in a relative clause of characteristic: the kind of people we loved; people of such a character that they were apt to be loved by us).

Tamenne: tamen (adv.): nevertheless, yet, still (the enclitic particle – ne turns the word into part of a question). Accūsārētis is the second person plural imperfect subjunctive form of accūsō, accūsāre, accūsāvī, accūsātum (1): to blame; accuse (imperfect subjunctive because it’s present contrary to fact).

Cupiēbam is the first person singular imperfect form of cupiō, cupere, cupīvī/cupiī, cupītum (3, –iō): to desire, wish. Quid is the neuter accusative singular form of quis/quis/quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? Cōgitārent is the third person plural imperfect subjunctive form of cōgitō, cōgitāre, cōgitāvī, cōgitātum (1): to think; think about, plan, intend (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect question). Cognōscō, cognōscere, cognōvī, cognitum (3): to learn, get to know.

Utinam (particle): if only, I wish that, would that! Habērem is the first person singular imperfect subjunctive form of habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have (imperfect subjunctive because it’s describing a present contrary-to-fact wish). Gladium is the accusative singular form of gladius, gladiī (2m): sword. Ut (conj.): that, so that. Tē is the accusative form of tū: you. Percuterem is the first person singular imperfect subjunctive form of percutiō, percutere, percussī, percussum (3, –iō): to strike, sometimes implying mortally (subjunctive because it’s describing a purpose).

Nōn: not. Audērēs is the second person singular imperfect subjunctive form of audeō, audēre, ausus sum (2, semi-deponent): to dare. Accūsō, accūsāre, accūsāvī, accūsātum (1): to blame; accuse. Patrem is the accusative singular form of pater, patris (3m): father. Sī (conj.): if. Timērēs is the second person singular imperfect subjunctive form of timeō, timēre, timuī, — (2): to be afraid (the two verbs are imperfect subjunctive because both parts of the conditional statement are present contrary to fact).

Cum (conj.): when; since; while; although. Timēret is the third person singular imperfect subjunctive form of timeō, timēre, timuī, — (2): to be afraid (subjunctive because it’s in a historical cum clause). Prōfūgit is the third person singular perfect form of prōfugiō, prōfugere, prōfūgī, — (3, –iō): to flee, run away, escape.

(. . . if only you had done X.) Pācem is the accusative singular form of pāx, pācis (3f): peace. Habērēmus is the first person plural imperfect subjunctive form of habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have (imperfect subjunctive because it’s present contrary to fact).

Mihi is the dative form of ego. Ignōscō, ignōscere, ignōvī, ignōtum (3): to forgive, pardon (the person forgiven goes in the dative). Nōn: not. Dēbērētis is the second person plural imperfect subjunctive form of dēbeō, dēbēre, dēbuī, dēbitum (2): to owe; ought, be (morally) bound to. Sī (conj.): if. Tacērem is the first person singular imperfect subjunctive form of taceō, tacēre, tacuī, tacitum (2): to be silent (dēbērētis and tacērem are imperfect subjunctive because both parts of the conditional statement are present contrary to fact).

Quis/quis/ quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? Essent is the third person plural imperfect subjunctive form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be. Sī (conj.): if. Aliud is the neuter accusative singular form of alius/alia/aliud (1/2, irreg.): other, another; different. Nihil (n, indeclinable, nom. or acc. only—here acc.): nothing. Habērent is the third person plural imperfect subjunctive form of habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have (the two verbs are imperfect subjunctive because both parts of the conditional statement are present contrary to fact).

Quid is the neuter accusative singular form of quis/quis/quid (interrog. pron.): who? what? Enim (particle): for, indeed. Dīcerem is the first person singular imperfect subjunctive form of dīcō, dīcere, dīxī, dictum (3): to say (subjunctive because it’s in a deliberative question).

Utinam (particle): if only, I wish that, would that! Vīverēs is the second person singular imperfect subjunctive form of vīvō, vīvere, vīxī, vīctum (3): to live (imperfect subjunctive because it’s describing a present contrary-to-fact wish).

(. . . but afterward he enjoys the benefits of having the painting, which are lesser. Seneca is saying that when we reach a goal, we aren’t as satisfied as when we’re absorbed in the process of reaching it.) Ipsā is the feminine ablative singular form of ipse/ipsa/ipsum (adj.): himself/herself/itself/oneself/myself, etc. ; in person; the very. Fruēbātur is the third person singular imperfect form of fruor, fruī, frūctus sum (3, deponent): to enjoy. Arte is the ablative singular form of ars, artis (3f): art, skill, technique. Cum (conj.): when; since; while; although. Pingeret is the third person singular imperfect subjunctive form of pingō, pingere, pīnxī, pictum (3): to paint; color; decorate, embellish (subjunctive because it’s in a historical cum clause).

Sīc (adv.): thus, so, in such manner. Ēmit is the third person singular perfect form of emō, emere, ēmī, ēmptum (3): to buy. Lēnō, lēnōnis (3m): pimp. Ut (conj.): that, so that. Prōstitueret is the third person singular imperfect subjunctive form of prōstituō, prōstituere, prōstituī, prōstitūtum (3): to prostitute; dishonor (subjunctive because it’s in a result clause—perhaps with a nuance of purpose).

Ferrēmus is the first person plural imperfect subjunctive form of ferō, ferre, tulī, lātum (3, irreg.): to carry; bear; endure (subjunctive because it’s describing a potential—a hypothetical alternative—or a present contrary-to-fact situation). Etsī (conj.): even if; although, even though. Tolerābilis/tolerābilis/ tolerābile (3): tolerable, bearable. Nōn: not. Erat is the third person singular imperfect form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be.

Vellem is the first person singular imperfect subjunctive form of volō, velle, voluī, — (irreg.): to want, wish; be willing. Dīcerētis is the second person plural imperfect subjunctive form of dīcō, dīcere, dīxī, dictum (3): to say. (Dīcerētis is imperfect subjunctive because it’s describing a present contrary-to-fact wish. When the verb volō is used to introduce a contrary-to-fact wish—whether present of past; see Chapter 19 concerning the latter—it is itself attracted into the imperfect subjunctive.)

Utinam (particle): if only, I wish that, would that! Saperent is the third person plural imperfect subjunctive form of sapiō, sapere, sapīvī/sapuī, — (3, –iō): to have good sense; be wise. Et (conj.): and. Intelligerent is the third person plural imperfect subjunctive form of intelligō, intelligere, intellēxī, intellēctum (3—also intellegō): to understand (the two verbs are imperfect subjunctive because they convey a present contrary-to-fact wish).

Timēbās is the second person singular imperfect form of timeō, timēre, timuī, — (2): to fear, be afraid. Nē (conj. , with subjunctive): lest, that not; that (something feared will happen). In (prep.): (with abl.) in, on; (with acc.) into, against, toward. Illam is the feminine accusative singular form of ille/illa/illud (pron.): that; he, she, it. Saevīrem is the first person singular imperfect subjunctive form of saeviō, saevīre, saeviī, saevītum (4): to rage, vent one’s rage; be fierce, violent, furious, or cruel (subjunctive because it’s in a fear clause).

(A worthy sentiment for an emperor asked to fill out a warrant that would probably lead to the execution of others; Seneca attributes it to Nero, who was not generally known for mercy.) Vellem is the first person singular imperfect subjunctive form of volō, velle, voluī, — (irreg.): to want, wish; be willing. Litterās is the accusative plural form of littera, litterae (1f): letter (of the alphabet); (in pl.) literature; literacy; letter (that you write to someone). Nescīrem is the first person singular imperfect subjunctive form of nesciō, nescīre, nescīvī/nesciī, nescītum (4): to not know (imperfect subjunctive because it’s describing a present contrary-to-fact wish).

Experior, experīrī, expertus sum (4, deponent): to try, make trial of, put to the test; experience. Inquit is the third person singular form of inquam (irreg. and defective): to say (inquit = he/she/it says or said). Volō, velle, voluī, — (irreg.): to want, wish. Fīlī is the vocative singular form of fīlius, fīliī (2m): son. Satin is a contraction of satisne: satis (enough, sufficiently), and the enclitic particle – ne, which turns the word into part of a question). Scīrēs is the second person singular imperfect subjunctive form of sciō, scīre, scīvī/sciī, scītum (4): to know. Cōnsulem is the accusative singular form of cōnsul, cōnsulis (3m): consul. Tē is the accusative form of tū: you (used reflexively: yourself). Esse: to be.

Sīc (adv.): thus, so, in such manner. Imitātus est is the third person masculine singular perfect form of imitor, imitārī, imitātus sum (1, deponent): to represent; imitate; counterfeit. Puellam is the accusative singular form of puella, puellae (1f): girl. Ut (conj.): that. Raptōrem is the accusative singular form of raptor, raptōris (3m): thief, plunderer; ravisher, rapist. Invenīret is the third person singular imperfect subjunctive form of inveniō, invenīre, invēnī, inventum (4): to find (subjunctive because it’s in a result clause).

Fūgimus is the first person plural perfect form of fugiō, fugere, fūgī, fugitūrus (3, –iō): to flee, run away. Nē (conj. , with subjunctive): lest, that not. Servīrēmus is the first person plural imperfect subjunctive form of serviō, servīre, servīvī/serviī, servītum (4): to serve; be a slave (subjunctive because it’s in a purpose clause).

Sī (conj.): if. Vīveret is the third person singular imperfect subjunctive form of vīvō, vīvere, vīxī, vīctum (3): to live. Verba is the accusative plural form of verbum, verbī (2n): word. Eius is the m/f/n genitive singular form of is/ea/id (pron.): he, she, it; this, that. Audīrētis is the second person plural imperfect subjunctive form of audiō, audīre, audīvī/audiī, audītum (4): to hear (the two verbs are imperfect subjunctive because both parts of the conditional statement are present contrary to fact).

(If I weren’t here to teach them.) Nunc (adv.): now; as it is now. Quoque (adv.): also, too, as well. Nescīrent is the third person plural imperfect subjunctive form of nesciō, nescīre, nescīvī/nesciī, nescītum (4): to not know (imperfect subjunctive because it’s present contrary to fact).

Nōn: not. Essem is the first person singular imperfect subjunctive form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be. Reus, reī (2m): defendant. Sī (conj.): if. Accūsō, accūsāre, accūsāvī, accūsātum (1): to blame; accuse. Possem is the first person singular imperfect subjunctive form of possum, posse, potuī, — (irreg.): to be able, can (essem and possem are imperfect subjunctive because both parts of the conditional statement are present contrary to fact).

Nī (conj.): if not, but for the fact that. Pater, patris (3m): father. Essēs is the second person singular imperfect subjunctive form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be. Dīcerem is the first person singular imperfect subjunctive form of dīcō, dīcere, dīxī, dictum (3): to say, declare, state. Tē is the accusative form of tū: you. Dēsipiō, dēsipere, dēsipuī, — (3, –iō): to be foolish (essēs and dīcerem are imperfect subjunctive because both parts of the conditional statement are present contrary to fact).

Perierāmus is the first person plural pluperfect form of pereō, perīre, periī, peritum (irreg.): to become lost; disappear; perish, die (the plural is used for the singular to convey humility). Sī (conj.): if. Hic /haec/hoc (pron.): this; he, she, it. Magistrātus, magistrātūs (4m): magistrate. Esset is the third person singular imperfect subjunctive form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be (imperfect subjunctive because it’s describing a present contrary-to-fact situation).

(Instead we give ourselves over to the pursuit of things that don’t matter.) Nostrī is the masculine nominative plural form of noster/nostra/nostrum (1/2): our, ours. Essēmus is the first person plural imperfect subjunctive form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be. Sī (conj.): if. Ista is the neuter nominative plural form of iste/ista/istud (pron.): that; he, she, it. Nostra is the neuter nominative plural form of noster/nostra/nostrum (1/2): our, ours. Nōn: not. Essent is the third person plural imperfect subjunctive form of of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be (both verbs are imperfect subjunctive because both parts of the conditional statement are present contrary to fact).

Sī (conj.): if. Caecī is the masculine nominative plural form of caecus/caeca/caecum (1/2): blind. Essētis is the second person plural imperfect subjunctive form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be. Nōn: not. Habērētis is the second person plural imperfect subjunctive form of habeō, habēre, habuī, habitum (2): to have. Peccātum is the accusative singular form of peccātum, peccātī (2n): sin, fault. (The two verbs are imperfect subjunctive because both parts of the conditional statement are present contrary to fact.)

(After denying that riches are a good.) Nam (particle): for. Sī (conj.): if. Essent is the third person plural imperfect subjunctive form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be. Bonōs is the masculine accusative plural form of bonus/bona/bonum (1/2): good. Facerent is the third person plural imperfect subjunctive form of faciō, facere, fēcī, factum (3, –iō): to do; make (the two verbs are imperfect subjunctive because both parts of the conditional statement are present contrary to fact).

Mēn is short for mēne, which in turn is a composite of mē + – ne; mē is the accusative form of ego; the enclitic interrogative particle – ne turns the word into part of a question. Servāsse is the perfect infinitive form of servō, servāre, servāvī, servātum (1): to save; protect; keep. Ut (conj.): that. Essent is the third person plural imperfect subjunctive form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be (subjunctive because it’s in a purpose clause). Quī is the masculine nominative plural form of quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what. Mē is the accusative form of ego. Perderent is the third person plural imperfect subjunctive form of perdō, perdere, perdidī, perditum (3): to lose; destroy; squander. This line illustrates a construction called an exclamatory accusative-and-infinitive clause. The subject is in the accusative— mē —and the verb is in the infinitive— servāsse. The construction conveys disbelief or indignation: Me, to have saved them! That I should have saved them! It is often, by the use of the enclitic – ne, made a question at the same time as it’s an exclamation.

Rogābam is the first person singular imperfect form of rogō, rogāre, rogāvī, rogātum (1): to ask, request. Ut (conj.): that. Occīderer is the first person singular imperfect passive subjunctive form of occīdō, occīdere, occīdī, occīsum (3): to kill (subjunctive because it’s in an indirect command).

Pudōre is the ablative singular form of pudor, pudōris (3m): feeling of shame; modesty. Tamen (adv.): nevertheless, yet, still. Aliquō is the m/n ablative singular form of aliquī/aliqua/aliquod (adj.): some. Impedīrēre is the second person singular imperfect passive subjunctive form of impediō, impedīre, impedīvī/impediī, impedītum (4): to impede, obstruct, prevent (it could also have been impedīrēris).

Sīc (adv.): thus, so, in such manner. Ēgit is the third person singular perfect form of agō, agere, ēgī, āctum (3): to drive, put in motion; do; act. Ut (conj.): that. Dēprehenderētur is the third person singular imperfect passive subjunctive form of dēprehendō, dēprehendere, dēprehendī, dēprehēnsum (3): to seize, catch; detect, discover (subjunctive because it’s in a result clause).

Omnia is the neuter accusative plural form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): every; all. Ista is the neuter accusative plural form of iste/ista/istud (pron.): that; he, she, it (often with second-person reference, a bit like that of yours). Cum (conj.): when; since; while; although. Mitterēmur is the first person plural imperfect passive subjunctive form of mittō, mittere, mīsī, missum (3): to send; throw (subjunctive because it’s in a historical cum clause). Audīvimus is the first person plural perfect form of audiō, audīre, audīvī/audiī, audītum (4): to hear.

Atque /ac (conj.): and, and also, and then. Utinam (particle): if only, I wish that, would that! Tacērētis is the second person plural imperfect subjunctive form of taceō, tacēre, tacuī, tacitum (2): to be silent (imperfect subjunctive because it’s expressing a present contrary-to-fact wish). Ut (conj.): that. Putārēminī is the second person plural imperfect passive subjunctive form of putō, putāre, putāvī, putātum (1): to think, regard, suppose (subjunctive because it’s in a purpose clause). Esse: to be. Sapientēs is the nominative plural form of sapiēns, sapientis (3m): wise man, sage.

(But they aren’t, so philosophy is an ongoing search for truth.) Utinam (particle): if only, I wish that, would that! Quidem (particle): indeed, certainly, in fact. Iam (adv.): already; now; soon. Tenērentur is the third person plural imperfect passive subjunctive form of teneō, tenēre, tenuī, tentum (2): to hold; keep; restrain; grasp, understand (imperfect subjunctive because it’s a present contrary-to-fact wish). Omnia is the neuter nominative plural form of omnis/omnis/omne (3): every; all.

(What Socrates supposedly said to a slave; the point is that one shouldn’t act when angry.) Caederem is the first person singular imperfect subjunctive form of caedō, caedere, cecīdī, caesum (3): to cut; beat; kill. Tē is the accusative form of tū: you. Nisi (conj.): unless; except; on any other condition than. Īrāscerer is the first person singular imperfect subjunctive form of īrāscor, īrāscī, īrātus sum (3, deponent): to become angry; be angry (the two verbs are imperfect subjunctive because both parts of the conditional statement are present contrary to fact).

Bellus/ bella /bellum (1/2): pretty, pleasant. Īrōnīa, īrōnīae (1f): irony. Sī (conj.): if. Iocārēmur is the first person plural imperfect subjunctive form of iocor, iocārī, iocātus sum (1, deponent): to joke, jest (imperfect subjunctive because it’s present contrary to fact).

(Describing the eruption of Vesuvius, which Pliny witnessed.) Erant is the third person plural imperfect form of sum, esse, fuī, futūrus (irreg.): to be. Quī is the masculine nominative plural form of quī/quae/quod (rel. pron.): who, which, that, what (in the pl. they who, those who). Metū is the ablative singular form of metus, metūs (4m): fear. Mors, mortis (3f): death. Mortem is the accusative singular form of mors, mortis (3f): death. Precārentur is the third person plural imperfect subjunctive form of precor, precārī, precātus sum (1, deponent): to pray; pray for, wish for; beg (subjunctive because it’s in a relative clause of characteristic).