Summary of Subjunctive Uses

Let's go through the various ways in which we have used the subjunctive mood so far in our previous Latin courses.

Independent vs. Dependent Uses

The subjunctive mood can be used on its own, in an independent clause, or in a dependent clause. While both have unique features, independent and dependent subjunctive uses all share the same basic forms: the unique set of subjunctive endings for the present, imperfect, perfect, and pluperfect tense. The differences lie in how the two types are utilized and in what situations.

**Independent vs. Dependent Subjunctives**
Independent	Dependent
Used in an independent clause	Used in a dependent clause
Often used without introductory particle Exceptions: Optative subjunctive is introduced by utinam Deliberative Questions are introduced using interrogatives	Always introduced by a particle: ut/ne interrogative word
Tense indicates specific reference to time: Present - expresses future time Imperfect - expresses present or ongoing past time Perfect - expresses present or completed past time - rare Pluperfect - expresses past time	Tense based on sequence of tenses and indicates whether an action is complete or incomplete: Present - primary sequence - incomplete action Imperfect - secondary sequence - incomplete action Perfect - primary sequence - complete action Pluperfect - secondary sequence - complete action
Used for: 1st and 3rd person commands (imperative subjunctives) questions relating to doubt (deliberative questions) wishes (optative) possibility (potential)	Used for: indirect questions indirect commands purpose clauses result clauses

Independent Uses

While the individual uses vary in how they are used, there are also several similarities. The following chart is set up to show both similarities and differences in each type of independent subjunctive use. Each type also includes one new, unique example to demonstrate the usage.

**Summary of Independent Uses of the Subjunctive Mood**
Name of Use Basic Function	Introduced by	Tense, Person, Number or Sequence	Negation	Example with translation
Potential Possibility	none	Tense: Any, but mostly present and imperfect Person: Any Number: Both	non	Titus veritatem videat. Titus may see the truth.
Imperative Subjunctive Polite Commands (1st/3rd Person)	none	Tense: Present Person: 1st, 3rd Number: 1st (plural only), 3rd (both)	ne	Ne in tablinum eamus. Let us not go into the study. Marcus ab accusatione liberetur. Let Marcus be freed from accusation.
Deliberative Question Question showing doubt or hesitation	Interrogative word enclitic -ne	Tense: Present and Imperfect Person: Any Number: Both	non	Quomodo Titus sciret? How was Titus to know?
Optative Wish	Utinam or Ut	Tense: Present, Imperfect and Pluperfect Person: Any Number: Both	ne	Utinam Marcus Romam ne venisset. If only Marcus had not come to Rome.

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