63. The imperfect subjunctive; the sequence of tenses

The lesson, step by step

1. Warm up

   Your child says the rule for purpose clauses and gives one example.

2. The new form

   This one is easy: add the personal endings to the present infinitive.

   The imperfect subjunctive may be formed by adding the personal endings to the present active infinitive.

   So amāre gives:

   amārem, amārēs, amāret, amārēmus, amārētis, amārent

   And esse gives:

   essem, essēs, esset, essēmus, essētis, essent

3. Say the forms aloud

   Read the § 354 paradigms aloud, active and passive (amārer, amārēris…). Then let your child make the imperfect subjunctive of any verb by starting from its infinitive.

4. Sequence of tenses

   Tenses for present or future time are primary; tenses for past time are secondary. The dependent subjunctive follows the main verb:

   Primary tenses are followed by primary tenses and secondary by secondary.

   So: Mittit nūntiōs ut… plus present subjunctive. Mīsit nūntiōs ut… plus imperfect subjunctive. Copy the § 357 table into the notebook.

5. Latin drills

   Do the § 360 drills aloud. They repeat the last lesson's drills with past main verbs, so every subjunctive becomes imperfect.

6. English to Latin

   Write the five English sentences. First decide whether the main verb is primary or secondary.

7. Wrap-up

   Your child says the rule of sequence and gives the imperfect subjunctive of sum. Part III has no new vocabulary lists. Spend five minutes on old word cards instead.