25.03.26: Level 3; Subjunctive [5] independent uses [1] hortatory [i]

A sentence – any sentence – can comprise:

[1] A single independent sentence with one verb: I’m going to the shops.

[2] A principal clause (which could stand alone) together with one or more subordinate clauses (which cannot stand alone):

I’m going to the shops (principal clause) ¦ because I want to buy a cake (subordinate clause).

I’m going to the shops (principal clause) ¦ as soon as the rain stops (subordinate clause).

The Latin subjunctive may be either [1] independent (can stand alone) or [2] dependent (part of a subordinate clause)

Here, we’ll start looking at independent uses.

It’s important, I feel, to deal slowly with the subjunctive. Sure, the Roman authors will give you countless examples but they are often contained within lengthy statements and so it’s better to focus on ‘short and sweet’ ones which are memorable and clearly illustrate the usage:

hortatory subjunctive

(1) The name hortatory subjunctive is derived from the Latin verb hortor, hortārī [1/dep], meaning “to encourage” or “to urge.” It is used to exhort an action, typically translated in English as “Let us…” or, in some contexts, “we should…” The form is always the first person plural present subjunctive.

īmus: we go > eāmus: let us go

gaudēmus: we rejoice > gaudeāmus: let us rejoice

magna facta facimus │  we do great deeds > Prō patriā magna facta faciāmus │ Let us do great deeds for the fatherland.

[i] From the university student song:

Gaudeāmus igitur / Iuvenēs dum sumus, │ Let us, therefore, rejoice / while we are young.

[ii] Catullus 5:

Vīvāmus, mea Lesbia, atque amēmus, │ Let us live, my Lesbia, and let us love,

rūmōrēsque senum sevēriōrum │ and the rumours of rather stern old men

omnēs ūnīus aestimēmus assis! │ let us value them all at just one penny!

[iii] Faciāmus hominem ad imāginem et similitūdinem nostram (Vulgate) │ Let us make humankind in our image and in our likeness.

[iv] Hōs latrōnēs interficiāmus (Caesar) │ Let us kill these robbers.

(2) The negative is formed with nē + the 1^st person plural present subjunctive

canimus: we sing > canāmus: let us sing > nē canāmus: let’s not sing

Nē dēspērēmus │ Let’s not despair.

Nē hīc maneāmus │ Let’s not stay here.

KEY POINTS: the hortatory subjunctive

• from hortor, -ārī [1/dep]: encourage
• always independent
• first person plural present subjunctive
• encourages action; often “let us…” in English
• negative formed with nē + 1st person plural present subjunctive