Subjunctive of possum, volo, nolo, malo, eo, fero
Irregular Subjunctives
Learn these six pairs once, because they are common in reported questions and purpose clauses.
How It Works
| Verb | Present | Imperfect |
|---|---|---|
| possum | possim, possis, possit | possem, posses, posset |
| volo | velim, velis, velit | vellem, velles, vellet |
| nolo | nolim, nolis, nolit | nollem, nolles, nollet |
| malo | malim, malis, malit | mallem, malles, mallet |
| eo | eam, eas, eat | irem, ires, iret |
| fero | feram, feras, ferat | ferrem, ferres, ferret |
Watch the vowel: volo has vel- in the subjunctive, so the form is velim. The plural endings are the usual ones: possimus, possitis, possint.
These forms do the same jobs as any subjunctive, such as purpose and reported questions. After velim, nolim and malim they also make polite wishes, which a later entry explains.
Examples (5)
- Venio ut te adiuvare possim.
I come so that I can help you.
Possim is the present subjunctive of possum in a purpose clause. The infinitive adiuvare completes it.
- Rogo ut mecum eas.
I ask you to go with me.
Eas is the present subjunctive of eo, in a reported command.
- Nescimus quid Deus velit.
We do not know what God wants.
Velit is the present subjunctive of volo, in a reported question.
- Marcus rogavit quid ferrem.
Marcus asked what I was carrying.
Ferrem is the imperfect subjunctive of fero: the infinitive ferre plus -m.
- Nemo scit quo Iulia eat.
No one knows where Iulia is going.
Eat is the present subjunctive of eo in a reported question.
Common Mistakes
Making the subjunctive of possum like a regular verb.
Venio ut te adiuvare possam.Venio ut te adiuvare possim.Possam is not a Latin form. Possum takes -im in the present, like velim and nolim.
How It Connects
Learn This First
The irregular verbs each have their own subjunctive, so each one comes first.
- Present Subjunctive: sim, sis, sitPresent Subjunctive of Sum
Know sim, sis, sit, because possim is pos- plus sim.
Level 5 - Verbs That Need Another Verb
Know possum and volo, because their subjunctives are possim and velim.
Level 3 - Do Not Want: nolo
Know nolo, because its subjunctive is nolim.
Level 3 - Prefer: malo
Know malo, because its subjunctive is malim.
Level 4 - Go: eo, ire
Know eo, because its subjunctive is eam.
Level 3 - Carry: fero, ferre, tuli, latum
Know fero, because its subjunctive is feram.
Level 4
Related Patterns
Words in This Pattern
Practice Subjunctive of possum, volo, nolo, malo, eo, fero in Bubblegum
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