quin / quominus (After Doubting or Preventing)
That ... Not: Quin and Quominus
Quin after doubt or inability, quominus after preventing.
How It Works
| Word | After | Example |
|---|---|---|
| quin | doubt | non dubito quin Marcus venturus sit |
| quin | no one, nothing | nemo est quin hoc sciat |
| quin | cannot | facere non possum quin rideam |
| quominus | prevent | tempestas nos impedit quominus navigemus |
The clause with quin is a clause of its own, and the English that is not always a that.
When the main verb is positive, the construction changes: dubito an or an indirect question may follow, but not quin.
Quin also begins a question or a command with the meaning why not: quin venis? (why do you not come?).
Examples (5)
- Non dubito quin Marcus venturus sit.
I do not doubt that Marcus will come.
Quin follows the negative non dubito. Venturus sit is a future participle with the subjunctive of sum.
- Nemo est quin hoc sciat.
There is no one who does not know this.
Quin means qui non here, and sciat is subjunctive.
- Tempestas nos impedit quominus navigemus.
The storm keeps us from sailing.
Quominus follows impedit, a verb of preventing. Navigemus is subjunctive.
- Facere non possum quin rideam.
I cannot help laughing.
Quin follows a negative of ability. Rideam is subjunctive.
- Non dubito quin sacerdos adsit.
I do not doubt that the priest is present.
Adsit is the present subjunctive of adsum.
Common Mistakes
Using ut after non dubito.
Non dubito ut Marcus veniat.Non dubito quin Marcus veniat.After a negative verb of doubt, Latin uses quin, not ut. English that does not tell you which word to choose.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Quin and quominus start clauses after words of doubt or prevention.