quod (Because, As They Say)

Because, As They Say

Level 6

Quod with the subjunctive shows that the reason is claimed, not stated as a fact.

How It Works

Mood	Example	Meaning
indicative	Cornelia domi mansit, quod fessa erat.	Cornelia stayed home because she was tired (the writer says so).
subjunctive	Cornelia domi mansit, quod fessa esset.	Cornelia stayed home on the ground that she was tired (her own claim).

The subjunctive does not say whether the reason is true. It only says whose reason it is.

In English, add words such as as he said, supposedly or on the ground that when you translate.

Writers use this to keep their distance from a claim. The reader hears: they say so, not I.

Marcus laudatus est quod fortiter pugnavisset.
Marcus was praised because, it was said, he had fought bravely.
Pugnavisset is pluperfect subjunctive after the past verb laudatus est.
Magister Iuliam laudavit quod diligenter laborasset.
The teacher praised Iulia because, as he said, she had worked hard.
The reason is the teacher's own, so the verb is subjunctive.
Cornelia domi mansit, quod fessa esset.
Cornelia stayed home on the ground that she was tired.
Esset is imperfect subjunctive and marks her claim.
Cornelia domi mansit, quod fessa erat.
Cornelia stayed home because she was tired.
With the indicative erat, the writer states the reason as a fact.

Using the indicative when the reason is only claimed.
Marcus laudatus est quod fortiter pugnaverat.
Marcus laudatus est quod fortiter pugnavisset.
Marcus laudatus est quod fortiter pugnaverat is good Latin, but it states as fact that he had fought bravely. To give the reason as someone's claim, use the subjunctive pugnavisset.

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

quod (Because, As They Say)Level 6Because, As They Say

Quod with the subjunctive gives a reason someone claims.

quod

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