07.06.26; Level 3+; Subjunctive [47] passive forms [ii] imperfect passive (1)

The imperfect passive subjunctive is formed in the same way as the imperfect active subjunctive:

[1] The infinitive forms of the verbs are used as the stems:

portāre-

monēre-

dūcere-

capere-

audīre-

[2] The passive personal endings are then added for all conjugations in exactly the same way as the imperfect active subjunctive:

Active > passive

-m > -r

-s > -ris (-re)

-et > -ētur (the short /e/ of the imperfect active subjunctive becomes long in the 3^rd person singular passive subjunctive)

-mus > -mur

-tis > -minī

-nt > -ntur

[3] We will use the 1^st conjugation as an example, but all the conjugations are shown in the table:

[active] portĀREm > [passive] portĀREr

portārēs > portārēris (-re)

portāret > portārētur

portārēmus > portārēmur

portārētis > portārēminī

portārent > portārentur

Again, bear in mind that, in narrative, you will come across the 3^rd person singular and plural of the imperfect passive subjunctive far more frequently than other forms, and so focus initially on recognising them.

Servus dīligenter labōrāvit ut ā dominō laudārētur. │ The slave worked diligently so that he might be praised by his master.

Senex ita respondit ut ab omnibus intellegerētur. │ The old man replied in such a way that he was understood by everyone.

Rēgīna aurum in cistā cēlāvit nē invenīrētur. │ The queen hid the gold in the chest so that it would not be found.

Celeriter currēbat nē ā cūstōdibus caperētur. │ He was running quickly so that he would not be captured by the guards.

Castra mūnīvērunt ut cōpiae ab hostibus dēfenderentur. │ They fortified the camp so that the troops might be defended from the enemies.

Tantī erant cīvium clāmōrēs ut verba ōrātōris nōn audīrentur. │ The citizens’ shouts were so great that the words of the orator were not heard.

Barbarī tam saevī erant ut ab omnibus timērentur. │ The barbarians were so fierce that they were feared by everyone.

From the authors:

[1] Ūnam ratiōnem nōn reiciēbam, ut ager hāc adventīciā pecūniā ēmerētur (Cicero) │ The only clause I did not reject was that land should be purchased by this wind-fall [literally: extraordinary money]

[2] Cōnfīdēbam ac mihi persuāseram fore ut omnia plācārentur inter vōs (Cicero) │ I was confident and had persuaded myself that everything would be settled between you.

[3] Ergō ut audīrētur Vettī nōmen in causā, ut illa vetus aerāria fābula referrētur, idcircō Camurtī et Caesernī est causa renovāta? (Cicero) │ Therefore, so that the name of Vettius would be heard in the case, and that that old financial story would be recounted, has the case of Camurtus and Caesernus been renewed?

[4] Imperfect active and imperfect passive subjunctive in the same sentence.

Factum est senātūs cōnsultum in meam sententiam, ut cum Pompēiō agerētur, ut eam rem susciperet, lēxque ferrētur (Cicero)│ A decree of the Senate was passed in accordance with my opinion, that negotiations should be conducted with Pompey, that he should undertake that matter, and that a law should be passed.

[5] Strictly speaking the following quotation is neither a clause of purpose nor of result. However, it does give a very good example of the use of the imperfect passive subjunctive.

Signō datō ut omnēs pūberēs interficerentur (Livy) │ Orders had been given [literally: (ablative absolute) with the signal having been given] that all the adult males were to be killed.