Indicative Conditional Sentences - Simple Conditionals of Fact

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.