MAR: Lesson - Grammar - Simple Conditionals of Fact (Indicative)

Image: the word Facts is animated in a cloudSimple Conditionals of Fact (Indicative)

Conditional sentences in Latin can be in either the indicative mood or the subjunctive mood. The next indicative mood conditional sentence is called a Simple Conditional of Fact.

Simple Conditional of Fact Conditional Sentences

In the Simple Conditional of Fact construction, both the protasis and apodosis will use the same tense: present, imperfect or perfect. A simple conditional of fact has no implication about whether or not the condition will be met, but does state the action as real.

  • Si adest, laetus est.
  • Translation: If he is here, he is happy.

Consider the following

  • "he is here" = stated as a fact, even though it is a condition
  • "he is happy" = stated as a fact - the "being here" is what generates the "happiness".
  • This could also be translated as:
    • When he is here, he is happy.

Additional Examples

Let's look at a few additional examples of Simple Fact Conditionals:

  • Present: Si studemus, discimus.
    • If we study, we learn.
  • Imperfect: Si studebamus, discebamus.
    • If we were studying, we were learning.
  • Perfect: Si studuimus, didicimus.
    • If we have studied, we have learned.
  • Nisi laeta est, nemo est laetus.
    • Unless she is happy, no one is happy.
    • If she isn't happy, no one is happy.
  • Example from Classical Literature: 
    • ...sin abes, aut etiam si ades, haec negotia sic se habent. (Cicero, Atticus, 5.18)
    • ...but if you are away—or even if you are there—these matters are as follows.