Conditional
sentences
A clause beginning with si
(if) or nisi (if not, unless)
is called a conditional
clause. A sentence
containing a conditional
clause is called a
conditional sentence.
E.g.: Si illud dixisti,
erravisti.
If you said that, you were
wrong.
Si filius meus
mortuus est, fundum
libertis lego.
If my son is dead, I leave
the farm to the freedmen.
Translate the following examples.
The conditional clause is
underlined.
1. Si Marco credis, insanus es!
2. Si Salvius talia facinora
commisit, puniendus est.
3. Si illum servum magno pretio
emisti, venalicius te decepit.
Some sentences in which the
conditional clause refers to the
future:
1. Si respexeris, aliquid miri
videbis
If you look behind you, you will
see something amazing.
2. Si milites bene pugnabunt,
hostes terrebunt.
If the soldiers fight well, they
will terrify the enemy.
Translate these examples of the future
tense conditionals:
1. Si pecuniam meam reppereritis, vobis
praemium ingens dabo.
2. Si pompam spectabis, delectaberis.
3. Si Virgines Vestales ignem sacrum
neglexerint, di populum Romanum
punient.
4. Si tu mihi nocueris, ego tibi nocebo.
Examples of using nisi in conditional
clauses:
nisi tacueritis, e taberna eiciemini
Unless you shut up, you will be thrown out
of the inn.
(or) If you don’t shut up, you will be
thrown out of the inn.
Nisi princeps me liberabit, in exilio
reliquam vitam manebo.
Contrary to fact conditional
sentences use the subjunctive.
Si magis esset anus, Martialis eam
ducere vellet.
If she were older, Martial would be
willing to marry her.
Si urbanus esses, tamen renidere
usque quaque te nollem.
If you were a city-dweller, I still
wouldn’t want you to be forever
grinning.
Si essem dives, felix
essem.
If I were rich, I would be
happy.
Si essetis divites, essetis
felices.
If you all were rich, you all
would be happy.
Si ego essem tu, valde
studerem.
If I were you, I would study
hard.
finis