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Lesson 22.

1, 2 The Present Subjunctive Active


The Subjunctive Mood is used in many Latin sentence constructions. This is very different from the Indicative Mood, which we have been studying. The basic functions of the subjunctive mood are to show that an action is, a) merely potential & not actual, and/or, b) dependent on another action. We will begin by studying the Present Subjunctive Active and how it is used in Purpose Clauses (i.e., dependent clauses stating the reason for which something is done). This is what the Subjunctive Active looks like in the Present Tense: First Conj. Second Conj.

laudem lauds laudet mittam mitts mittat

laudmus laudtis laudent mittmus mitttis mittant

moneam mones moneat audiam audis audiat

monemus monetis moneant audiamus auditis audiant

Third Conj.

Fourth Conj.

Note that the endings (personal signs) are regular (-m, -s, -t; -mus, -tis, -nt) but the connecting vowels are not the usual ones. Memorizing the sequence of connecting vowels will help you immensely! They are: e, ea, a, ia in order from 1st conjugation through 4th conjugation. OR, an even simpler way is to memorize this semi-acronym: She reads a diary. The meanings for present tense include the English helping verb may.

laudmus = (that) I may praise mittat = (that) he may send


An example of a sentence with a Purpose Clause: He is fighting in order that he may defend the city. Pugnat ut urbem dfendat.

audiant = (that) they may hear

being verb in Present Subj. sim I may be sis you may be sit he may be simus we may be sitis you may be sint they may be

The phrase in order that is our signal that a Purpose Clause follows. This is expressed by ut. A Purpose Clause is an Adverbial clause because it expresses the purpose of the action in the main clause. Therefore, it is modifying the verb in the main clause.

continued . . .

Lesson 22.1, 2 cont. The Present Subjunctive Active Vocabulary (English derivatives in parentheses)

vita, ae ....................................... life (vital, vitamin) vallum, i..................................... wall, rampart (wall) amicitia, ae ................................ friendship fossa, ae..................................... ditch
(amicable)

(fossil) (celerity)

celeriter, adv. ...................................... swiftly

The Mood in a Purpose Clause is Subjunctive.

A Purpose Clause is introduced with ut (negative: ne).

The Present Tense Subjunctive is formed by changing the vowels on the Present Stem of the verb according to the acronym SHE READS A DIARY, and adding the regular personal endings.

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