Grammar: Indirect Questions
We have previously studied indirect statements, which involve a main verb of saying
thinking, feeling, or perceiving, and the verb of the indirect statement going into the
infinitive. Because indirect statements involve fact and certainty, they use an infinitive
verb. Today we will contrast them with indirect questions, which are more centered on
speculation and uncertainty. Speculation and uncertainty are the hallmarks of the
subjunctive mood, so it is not surprising that indirect questions require a verb in the
subjunctive.
Review of Characteristics of Indirect Statements
Main verb of saying, thinking, feeling, or perceiving
Subject of Indirect Statement becomes accusative
Verb of Indirect Statement goes into Infinitive
Tense of Infinitive determined by time relative to Main Verb
English Ind. St. often introduced by “that”
Latin Ind. St. has no introductory word
Examples
He said that he was sorry.
I knew that the storm had passed.
The poet wrote that Rome was founded by twins.
Indirect Questions
Indirect Statements, as their name implies, report someone’s assertion of fact. In
contrast, indirect questions report either a question asked, or an assertion not fully
revealed. The first of these is fairly self explanatory:
I asked who would come to the party.
This can easily be traced back to the sentence:
I asked, “Who will come to the party?”
However, there is another type of indirect question that looks at first glance like an
indirect statement.
I know who will come to the party.
Since it has a verb, “know”, that we associate with indirect statements, we
might tempt to think of it that way. But compare it with an actual indirect statement.
I know Marcus will come to the party.
You can see that the first sentence leaves the reader in the dark about who would actually
be there, where the second sentence makes it clear. That is why the first sentence in and
indirect question, while the second is an indirect statement.
With that distinction made, it is time to look at the characteristics of Indirect Questions.
Main verb of asking, wondering, saying, thinking, feeling, or perceiving
Subject of Indirect Question remains Nominative
Verb of Indirect Question goes into Subjunctive
Tense of Infinitive determined by Sequence of Tenses Chart
English Indirect Question introduced by an interrogative, if or whether
Latin Indirect Question introduced by interrogative (q-word) or si
Here is the sequence of tenses chart again.
RELATIVE TIME OF
SUBJUNCTIVE VERB TO MAIN VERB
S
E
Q
U
E
N
C
E
M Primary
A (Present
I Future,
N Future Perf)
V
E
R
O B
F
Same time as, or Time after
(Purpose or Result Clause)
Time before
Present Tense
Subjunctive
Perfect Tense
Subjunctive
Imperfect Tense
Subjunctive
Pluperfect Tense
Subjunctive
Secondary
Perfect
Imperfect
Pluperfect
Tense of Subjunctive Verb
Taking the some of the sentences from last week’s exercises, which we have already
analyzed for tense, we will translate them into Latin.
1. The mother knew when the children had arrived.
Knew Secondary Sequence, arrived happened before that
Mater ubi liberi pervenissent scivit.
(Pluperfect)
2. I will ask if she enjoyed the games.
Ask Primary Sequence, enjoyed happened before that
Si munera ei dederint rogabo.
(Perfect)
3. The sailors wondered if they would survive the storm.
Wondered Secondary survive time after MV
Nautae si tempestatem superviverent mirati sunt.
(Imperfect)
4. The soldiers had known why the battle would be lost.
Known Secondary, lost happens after MV
Milites cur proelium adverteretur sciverunt.
(Imperfect)
5. I will explain why my chariot will win.
Explain Primary win happens after MV
Cur carrus meus vincat explicam.
(Present)
6. He was told in which quarter of the city they had found a cobbler. (Pluperfect)
Told Secondary found time before MV
Ei in qua regione urbis sutorem invenissent narratum est.
Exercises
Translate the following sentences into English, being careful to evaluate the
tenses.
Senator quis rex Romae esset dixit.
The senator said who would be the king of Rome.
Uxores quae urbs proelium superaravisset non sciverunt.
The wives did not know which city had won the battle.
Nemo qui frater, Romulus aut Remus, senior fuerit scivit.
No one knows which brother, Romulus or Remus, was older.
Puella si pater suus a provincia veniat rogat.
The girl asks if her father is coming back from the province.
OR will be coming back from the province.