19.06.26; Level 3+; Subjunctive [54] dependent uses [3] indirect commands (2); practice [i]

We’ll now take a closer look at the verbs used in the previous post and add a few more.

The term indirect “command” – although one which is used in numerous grammar books – is rather too narrow in its meaning. While ‘command’ can also encompass ‘demands’, this subjunctive use can be extended to, for example, requests, desires, encouragement, prayers, warnings and even begging.

Below are some of the verbs commonly found with this subjunctive use; the verbs have been placed under headings based on (broad) similarity of idea. The list is not exhaustive nor would all lists have the same headings.

asking / requesting / demanding

• rogō, -āre [1]: ask
• petō, -ere [3]: request; seek
• postulō, -āre [1]: demand

With petō and postulō, when the person who is asked / demanded is named ā / ab (abs) + the ablative is used:

Petō abs tē, ut haec dīligenter cūrēs (Cicero)  │ I ask from you  that you take care of these things carefully.

Ā senātū postulāvit ut auxilium mitterētur │ He demanded from the senate that help (should) be sent.

begging

• ōrō, -āre [1]; beg; pray
• obsecrō, -āre [1]: beseech; implore

desiring / urging / persuading / wanting

• hortor, -ārī [1/dep] urge
• volō, velle: want
• persuādeō, -ēre [2]: persuade

With persuādeō, the person being persuaded is in the dative case:

Cīvitātī persuāsit, ut dē fīnibus suīs cum omnibus cōpiīs exīrent (Caesar) │  He persuaded the state to withdraw from their territories with all their forces

deciding / proposing

• cēnseō, -ēre [2]: decree; give an opinion

M. Calidius … cēnsēbat, ut Pompēius in suās prōvinciās proficīscerētur │ M. Calidius … expressed the opinion that Pompeius should go to his own province

• cōnstituō, -ere [3]: decide

Iuvenēs quī convīvere solēbant cōnstituērunt ut in lītore cēnārent (Quintilian)  │ The young men, who were accustomed to live together, decided that they should dine on the shore.

commanding / ordering

• imperō, -āre [1]: order; command
• mandō, -āre [1]: order; entrust

The person who is being ordered or commanded is in the dative case:

Dux lēgātō imperāvit ut ab hostibus pācem peteret. │ The general ordered / gave an order to the envoy to seek peace from the enemy.

Dux mīlitibus imperāvit, ut castra dēfenderent. │ The general ordered / gave an order to the soldiers to defend the camp.

Fīliola tua grātum mihi fēcit, quod tibi dīligenter mandāvit, ut mihi salūtem adscrīberēs (Cicero) │ Your tiny daughter has done me a favour in ordering [ = because she ordered] you earnestly to send me her greetings.

warning

• moneō, -ēre [2]: warn

Practice

Complete the Latin translations with the verbs listed below. Each pair tests the difference between primary and historic tense sequence.

hortor (urge)

[i] The teacher urges the students to work.
Magister discipulōs __________ ut __________.

[ii] The teacher urged the students to work.
Magister discipulōs __________ est ut __________.

rogō (ask)

[iii] The father asks his son to come.
Pater fīlium __________ ut __________.

[iv] The father asked his son to come.
Pater fīlium __________ ut __________.

moneō (warn / advise — positive)

[v] I warn a friend to be silent.
Amīcum __________ ut __________.

[vi] I warned a friend to be silent.
Amīcum  __________ ut __________.

moneō (warn; negative with nē)

[vii] The teacher warns the students not to run.
Magister discipulōs __________ nē __________.

[viii] The teacher warned the students not to run.
Magister discipulōs __________ nē __________.

imperō (order)

[ix] The leader orders the soldiers to fight.
Dux mīlitibus __________ ut __________.

[x] The leader ordered the soldiers to fight.
Dux mīlitibus __________ ut __________.

petō (ask; request)

[xi] The king asks the citizens to give help.
Rēx ā cīvibus __________ ut auxilium __________.

[xii] The king asked the citizens to give help.
Rēx ā cīvibus __________ ut auxilium __________.

rogāvit; rogat; petīvit; petit; monuit; monuī; monet; moneō; imperāvit; imperat; hortātur; hortātus est

currant; currerent; darent; dent; labōrārent; labōrent; pugnārent; pugnent; taceat; tacēret; veniat; venīret

____________________

[i] Rēx nōs hortātur ut pecūniam eī dēmus.

[ii] Rēx nōs hortātus est ut eī pecūniam darēmus.

[iii] Ego vērō iam tē nec hortor nec rogō ut domum redeās (Cicero)

[iv] Monuimus eōs nē in urbem venīrent.

[v] Hīs utī conquīrerent imperāvit (Caesar)

[vi] Obsecrō ut trānsīre mihi liceat per terram tuam. (Vulgate)

[vii] Magnō opere ā mē petīvit ut Laodiceam protinus īrem (Cicero)

[i] Magister discipulōs hortātur ut labōrent.

[ii] Magister discipulōs hortātus est ut labōrārent.

[iii] Pater fīlium rogat ut veniat.

[iv] Pater fīlium rogāvit ut venīret.

[v] Amīcum moneō ut taceat.

[vi] Amīcum monuī ut tacēret.

[vii] Magister discipulōs monet nē currant.

[viii] Magister discipulōs monuit nē currerent.

[ix] Dux mīlitibus imperat ut pugnent.

[x] Dux mīlitibus imperāvit ut pugnārent.

[xi] Rēx ā cīvibus petit ut auxilium dent.

[xii] Rēx ā cīvibus petīvit ut auxilium darent.

Image + Latin tutorial: the short video lists some additional verbs. However, occurrences of those verbs in this context are rare and so the image only focusses on the more common ones.