The Subjunctive Inside a Report
In a report, the main idea takes the infinitive and the clauses inside it take the subjunctive.
How It Works
| Part | Mood | Example |
|---|---|---|
| main statement | infinitive | se domum redire |
| clause inside it | subjunctive | quia fessus esset |
| verb of saying | sets the tense | dixit (past) so esset |
After a present verb of saying, the inside clause takes the present or perfect subjunctive: dicit se, si possit, venturum esse.
The same rule covers relative clauses inside the report. A reader who sees a subjunctive in the middle of a report knows it belongs to what was said.
Even a clause that would take the indicative on its own, such as a time clause, takes the subjunctive when it sits inside a report.
Examples (4)
- Marcus dixit se, quia fessus esset, domum redire.
Marcus said that, because he was tired, he was going home.
Esset is imperfect subjunctive after the past verb dixit. Redire is the infinitive.
- Marcus dicit se, si possit, venturum esse.
Marcus says he will come if he can.
Possit is present subjunctive after the present verb dicit. Venturum esse is the future infinitive.
- Iulia putat omnes, qui in villa sint, laetos esse.
Iulia thinks that everyone who is in the house is happy.
A relative clause inside the report takes the subjunctive: sint.
- Sacerdos dixit omnes, qui adessent, orare debere.
The priest said that all who were present should pray.
Adessent is imperfect subjunctive after dixit.
Common Mistakes
Using the indicative inside a report.
Marcus dixit se, quia fessus erat, domum redire.Marcus dixit se, quia fessus esset, domum redire.With erat, the words quia fessus erat are the writer's own comment: because he was in fact tired. The subjunctive esset keeps them as part of what Marcus said.
How It Connects
Learn This First
A clause inside a report takes the subjunctive.
Related Patterns
- Which Tense of the Subjunctive
How the tense of the subjunctive is chosen.
Level 5 - quod (Because, As They Say)Because, As They Say
A related use of the subjunctive for a reason that is claimed.
Level 6 - Long Reports (oratio obliqua)
The same rules in a longer report.
Level 6 - se in Reported StatementsHe Says That He
The pronoun that refers back to the speaker.
Level 4
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice The Subjunctive Inside a Report in Bubblegum
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