SEGMENTED TEXTS:
Caput Nonum:
pp. 119-123 
pp. 116-119
Caput Octavum:
pp. 112-115
pp. 109-111
pp. 106-108
QUIZZES!
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Potter quizzes!
Caput Primum:
Noun Identification
Verb Identification
Dictionary Look-Up
Supply the Form
Verum-Falsum
Caput Alterum:
Noun Identification
Verb Identification
Dictionary Look-Up
Supply the Form
Verum-Falsum
Caput Tertium:
Noun Identification
Verb Identification
Dictionary Look-Up
Supply the Form
Verum-Falsum
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Notes about Sequence of Tense and Latin Subjunctive
Sequence of tense is a beautiful thing in Latin, and it does not have to be scary. It can really help you organize what is happening in a sentence if you "feel" how the sequence of tense goes.
The main verb is in the past (imperfect, pluperfect) or in the non-past (present, future, future perfect). Something very interesting is that the Latin perfect can be considered past or non-past, depending on the context. This is because the Latin perfect represents the collapse of a true past tense (the aorist for those of you who know Greek) and the present perfect tense, which is a non-past verb form.
Then, when the main verb needs a subjunctive, you have to decide whether the subjunctive is being used to describe an action already completed (pluperfect or imperfect subjunctive), or action not yet completed (perfect or present subjunctive).
The most common situations in which you use subjunctive clauses are indirect question and ut clauses.
| PLUPERFECT subjunctive = PAST main verb talking about COMPLETED action |
IMPERFECT subjunctive = PAST main verb talking about NON-COMPLETED action |
| Marcus rogavit quis pecuniam perdidisset. (Marcus asked who lost the money, i.e. somebody had FINISHED losing the money, and Marcus asked who had lost it) |
Mulieres dixerunt quid optarent. (The women said what they wanted, i.e. they had NOT finished wanting something and they said what it was they were wanting at that time) |
| (a purpose clause by definition is talking about something that had not already taken place yet at the time) | Dixerunt alta voce ut omnes intellegerent. (They said this in a loud voice so that everybody would understand, i.e. the understanding had NOT finished - it is taking place during/after the speaking) |
| PERFECT subjunctive = NON-PAST main verb talking about COMPLETED action |
PRESENT subjunctive = NON-PAST main verb talking about NON-COMPLETED action |
| Exponam quid mulieres dixerint. (I will explain what the women said, i.e. they FINISHED saying it, and I will now explain what they said) |
Nescio quid Marcus faciat. (I don't know what Marcus is doing, i.e. Marcus is NOT finished doing whatever he is doing, and I don't know what he is doing!) |
| (a purpose clause by definition is talking about something that has not already taken place yet at the time) | Hoc facit Marcus ut nos adiuvet. (Marcus is doing this in order to help us, i.e. the helping is NOT finished - it is taking place during/after what he is doing) |
MORE EXAMPLES. Here are some examples from the opening pages of Harrius Potter:
| PLUPERFECT subjunctive = PAST main verb talking about COMPLETED action |
IMPERFECT subjunctive = PAST main verb talking about NON-COMPLETED action |
|
Dominus Dursley non intellexit quid vidisset
|
maxime timebant ne quis hoc secretum cognosceret hic puer erat alia causa
cur Potteros arcerent constituit ambulare
et transire viam
ut libam sibi emeret |
| PERFECT subjunctive = NON-PAST main verb talking about COMPLETED action |
PRESENT subjunctive = NON-PAST main verb talking about NON-COMPLETED action |
|
homines periti non possunt explicare
cur striges subito rationem dormiendi mutaverint |
... |