Conditionals
Understanding Conditionals
- A conditional sentence in Latin expresses an “if…then” statement.
- These sentences consist of a protasis (the ‘if’ clause) and an apodosis (the ‘then’ clause).
- The word ‘if’ in Latin is commonly expressed by si, and sometimes by nisi (‘unless’) or dum (‘provided that’).
Types of Conditionals
- Real conditionals refer to conditions that are, were, or will be true, described in present, past, or future time respectively.
- Unreal (or counterfactual) conditionals refer to conditions that are not or were not true.
Real Conditionals in Present Time
- In real present conditionals, both clauses use the present tense.
- For example, ‘Si laboras, bene discis.’ (‘If you work, you learn well.’)
Real Conditionals in Past Time
- In real past conditionals, both clauses use a past tense (perfect, imperfect, or pluperfect).
- For example, ‘Si laboraveras, bene didicisti.’ (‘If you had worked, you learned well.’)
Real Conditionals in Future Time
- Real future conditionals may use future perfect in the protasis and future in the apodosis, or future in both clauses.
- For example, ‘Si laboraveris, bene discis.’ (‘If you will have worked, you will learn well.’)
Unreal (Counterfactual) Conditionals
- Unreal conditionals in present time use the imperfect subjunctive in both clauses.
- For example, ‘Si laborares, bene disceres.’ (‘If you were working, you would be learning well.’)
- Unreal conditionals in past time use the pluperfect subjunctive in both clauses.
- For example, ‘Si laboravisses, bene didicisses.’ (‘If you had worked, you would have learned well.’)
Importance of Conditionals
- Conditionals are a key aspect of Latin syntax and are essential for forming complex sentences.
- Recognising and understanding the different types of conditionals is crucial for accurate translation and comprehension of Latin texts.