CONDITIONALS
Conditional sentences are made up of (a) a conditional clause (protasis); and (b) a main clause
(apodosis) which tells us the consequence/implication.
Eg. If Penelope is unfaithful, I am a wretched husband.
Conditional clauses are introduced in English by ‘if’, and in Latin by si (if), etsi
(although), nisi (unless, if...not)
There are six main types of conditional sentences. They can be divided as follows:
TYPE A - REAL CONDITIONS
Look at the following sentences:
1. If he has done this, he has committed a crime. (PAST)
2. If he is doing this, he is committing a crime. (PRESENT)
3. If he does this, he will be committing a crime. (FUTURE)
In Latin, the verb in the conditional clause is INDICATIVE. The indicative will be the
same tense in Latin as in English. The main verb is also indicative. Translate
according to tense.
e.g. If anyone praises her, she is always happy.
si quis eam laudat, semper laeta est.
N.B. When the main verb is future, the verb in the conditional clause will also be
future (or sometimes future perfect), but we translate the future as present.
e.g. If he finds the gold, he will give it to me.
si aurum inveniet, id mihi dabit.
If you pay attention, you will be able to answer.
si attenderis, respondere poteris.
TYPE B - REMOTE CONDITIONS
A condition is remote when the main verb is "would have", "would be", "would".
Look at the following sentences:
4. If he had done this, he would have committed a crime. (PAST)
5. If he were doing this, he would be committing a crime (PRESENT)
6. If he were to do this, he would commit a crime. (FUTURE)
In Latin, such sentences require the SUBJUNCTIVE both in the conditional clause
(protasis) and in the main clause (apodosis).
Which subjunctive?
If it is a PAST remote (sentence 4 above) si and pluperfect + pluperfect.
If it is a PRESENT remote (sentence 5 above) si and imperfect + imperfect.
If is a FUTURE remote (sentence 6 above) si and present + present.
Exs: si tacuisses, sapiens visus esses
If you had kept quiet, you would have appeared clever.
si dives esset, marito non careret.
If she were rich, she would not be lacking a husband.
Si negotium agamus, uxor mihi numquam iterum loquatur.
