Conditional sentences

1. Conditional sentences If you should learn these, you would be wise. 

2. What it is… • A conditional sentence expresses a hypothetical situation: • If you take Latin, you are awesome. • If you were taking Latin, you would be awesome • If you will take Latin, you will be awesome • Notice that in each of these, the sentence is made up of two bits: • The conditional, “if,” bit, called the protasis. • Introduced usually by “si,” if, or “nisi,” if not/unless • The main clause, or conclusion, called the “apodosis.”

3. But not all situations are equally hypothetical… • If you are taking notes (and you very likely are), you are one of Mrs. J’s favorite students. • This type of conditional is called the SIMPLE FACT PRESENT. • The fact that this is likely makes it less hypothetical, so the Romans used the INDICATIVE (normal) mood. • Si Latinamdiscis, mirabilis es.

4. Another type of simple conditional sentence • Simple fact—past. • Both verbs are in a past tense, (the imperfect or perfect tenses) and the indicative mood. • If you said that (and you likely did), you were right. • Si dixisti, rectus fuisti.

5. One last simple type • Simple fact—future (or the “future more vivid”) • If you study[will study] (and many of you likely will), you will be prepared for the exam.

6. But what’s the point of living without the subjunctive? Hypothetical conditions • Contrary to fact—present • If I were studying (but I’m not…I’m watching Pacifica for the 15th time…) I would be good. • If you were singing, you would be happy. • These use an IMPERFECT SUBJUNCTIVE in both clauses. • NOTE: Impf subjunctive = infinitive form + personal endings

7. Latin examples • Si hoc diceres, esses. • If you WERE SAYING this (but you’re not), you WOULD BE right. • Si linguamHispanicamdisceres, tristisesses. • If you WERE LEARNING Spanish (but you’re not), you WOULD BE sad. • Notice the translation: • If… were, …would be.

8. What about the past? • If I had said it in Latin, I would have been awesome. • si id linguāLatinādixissem, mirabilis fuissem. • Now we use the PLUPERFECT SUBJUNCTIVE in both.

9. And one more… • Future less vivid (or the “should/would”) • If you should do this (and maybe you will, maybe you won’t), you would be happy. • Uses the present subjunctive in both clauses • Si hoc facias, laetussis.

10. Strategies to help you remember… • Recognize the patterns for subjunctives: • Present subjunctive = • We beat fat friars • Imperfect subjunctive = • Infinitive form + personal endings • Pluperfect subjunctive = • 3rd part + isse + personal ending • It seems odd that the Contrary to Fact—Present uses imperfect? Think about how we say it in English: • If I were on vacation right now (but I’m not, I’m here teaching Latin), I would be swimming and getting a tan. • We use the imperfect, too!