Conditionals

Understanding Conditionals

• Conditionals are sentences expressing certain conditions, often using the words ‘if’ or ‘unless’.
• In Latin, they express various types of hypothetical situations and their possible results.
• Key to understanding conditionals is mastering the three main types: Real, Unreal (contrafactual), and Future Less Vivid (Should-would).

Real Conditionals

• Real conditionals are used when the conditions are seen as factual or possible, meaning the action may actually occur.
• They usually contain present, future, or perfect tense verbs.
• For instance, “Si domi sum, lego” translates to “If I am at home, I read”.

Unreal (Contrafactual) Conditionals

• Unreal conditionals express unreal or improbable situations, either in the present or the past.
• They often use imperfect subjunctive for present counterfactuals and pluperfect subjunctive for past counterfactuals.
• For instance, “Si domi essem, legerem” translates to “If I were at home, I would read”.

Future Less Vivid (Should-Would) Conditionals

• A Future Less Vivid conditional expresses a conceivable but less certain future event.
• It employs subjunctive mood verbs, typically in the present tense.
• For instance, “Si domi sim, legam” translates to “Should I be at home, I would read”.

Conditionals in Sentence Construction

• Understanding the nature of conditionals can aid in recognizing and translating complex Latin sentences.
• The word that triggers the conditional (e.g., ‘if’) often gives a clue to the type of conditional used.
• Develop the habit of identifying conditionals in Latin texts to improve your translation skills.