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Grammar: Indirect QuestionIn English, indirect question follows some complex rules regarding sequence of tense (although if you are a native speaker of English, you are not consciously aware of how complicated those rules are: lucky for you!)
In Latin, a different construction is used: an indirect question also uses the subjunctive. The choice of the subjunctive follows rules for sequence of tense. In other words, the tense of the subjunctive is determined by the tense of the main verb: if the main verb is in the present or future, this is called "primary" sequence of tense; if the main verb is in the past, this is called "secondary" sequence of tense. If you are dealing with primary sequence of tense, you use the present subjunctive for action simultaneous with or subsequent to the main verb; for action prior to the main verb, you use the perfect subjunctive. If you are dealing with secondary sequence of tense, you use the imperfect subjunctive for action simultaneous with or subsequent to the main verb; for action prior to the main verb, you use the pluperfect subjunctive. Here are some examples:
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