Wednesday, May 1, 2024

07.04.24: future tense; examples from the authors

Some more examples of the future tense from the authors. Every verb is in the future. Again, take a look at the constructions with sī (if); in Latin, in this particular construction, the future tense is used. In the first example, I give the literal translation in brackets.

Nox, sī volēs, manēbō. (Plautus) │ I’ll stay at night if you (will) want.

Vidēbis ergō hominem, sī volēs. (Cicero) │ Therefore, you will see the man if you wish.

Sī ego hīc perībō … (Plautus) │ If I die here …

Sī mē audiēs ..., certē putābis. (Cicero) │ If you listen to me, ... you will certainly think <it worthwhile>

Sī obscūrē scrībam, tū tamen intellegēs. (Cicero) │ If I write vaguely, you’ll understand nonetheless.

Sī quandō satis pecūniae habēbō, tum mē cōnsiliō et philosophiae dabō. (Seneca) │ If I ever have enough money, then I will give (devote) myself to wisdom and philosophy

Sī quid rēs feret, cōram inter nōs cōnferēmus. (Cicero) │ If any point arises, we will discuss it together face to face.

Sī quid tē volam, ubi eris? (Plautus) │ If I want you for anything, where will you be?

And a very dramatic example from Plautus; all the verbs are in the future tense:

Intrō rumpam in aedīs, │ I’ll burst into the house,

… sī ancillam seu servum sīve uxōrem sīve adulterum seu patrem sīve avum vidēbō, │ … (and) if I (will) see a maidservant or a man or a wife or an adulterer or a father or a grandfather,

obtruncābō in aedibus, │ … I’ll cut (them) down in my house,

… neque mē Iuppiter neque dī omnēs id prohibēbunt, │ .. and neither Jupiter nor all the gods will prevent me from this

… sī volent. │ … (even) if they (will) want to.

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