18.09.26: Level 3+; Conditional clauses [11] etsī, etiamsī, tametsī

This topic is already discussed under the heading:

31.07.26: Level 3+; Subjunctive [78] dependent uses [8] concessive clauses (3) etsī, etiamsī, tametsī

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2026/03/310726-level-3-subjunctive-78-dependent.html

Etsī, etiamsī and tametsī introduce conditions. However, those conditions are concessive, translating as ‘although’ or ‘even if’.

Compare:

(i) [A] If the weather is nice, [B] we’ll go to the seaside.

For [B] to happen, [A] must happen = a conditional clause

(ii) [A] Even if it is raining, [B] we’ll go to the seaside.

This shows a condition which does not affect the outcome.

Indicative or subjunctive may be used with the three conjunctions.

Indicative: the speaker presents the concessive clause as a fact and asserts that it does not affect the action:

Etsī abest mātūritās, tamen nōn est inūtile (Cicero)

• Though / even if ripeness of age is wanting, yet it is not useless

Nam ista vēritās, etiamsī iūcunda nōn est, mihi tamen grāta est (Cicero)

• For that truth, although / even if it is not pleasant, is nevertheless pleasing to me.

Quam ob rem ego tē hoc, soror, tametsī es maior moneō (Plautus)

• For that reason, sister, I give you this advice although / even if you are older.

Subjunctive: used when the speaker introduces a hypothetical or imagined concession and asserts that it would not affect the outcome expressed in the main clause.

Mālō hunc adligārī ad horiam, ... etsī sit tempestās maxima (Plautus)

• I prefer this man to be tied to the small fishing boat ... even if there is a very big storm.

Etiamsī nōn adiuvēs, haec facere possim.

• Even if you were not to help, I would (nevertheless) be able to do this.

Etiamsī hominēs tacērent, rēs ipsa illum cēnsum repudiāret (Cicero)

• Even if people were silent, the very matter itself would repudiate that assessment.

i.e. it does not matter whether the people were silent or not, the outcome would be the same