Mixed Conditions
A condition may be composed of different types of protases and apodoses or, sometimes, even entire other grammatical constructions like hortatory subjunctives or imperatives. In such cases, analyze each half of the condition on its own terms and translate accordingly before putting the two halves together. For example:
- sī haec verba dīxisset, laetus essem.
The protasis of this mixed condition uses a pluperfect subjunctive verb: that makes it the protasis of a past contrary-to-fact, translated as “had [verb]ed.”
- If he had said these words, laetus essem.
The apodosis, on the other hand, uses an imperfect subjunctive verb: that makes it the apodosis of a present contrary-to-fact, translated as “would [verb].” When we put the two halves together, we come up with the following translation:
- If he had said these words, I would be happy.
You can also use other grammatical structures in place of an apodosis, such as a command:
- sī hoc dīcat, domum eāmus. If he should say this, let us go home. (hortatory subjunctive)
- Note that because eāmus is present subjunctive, we can also interpret this as a straightforward future less vivid condition: “If he should say this, we would go home.” Context is key when you’re making this determination.
- sī legēs mutāre velīs, epistulam scrībe! If you should want to change the laws, write a letter! (imperative mood verb)
Note also that ablative absolutes can also be translated as conditionals, if such a translation makes sense in the context of the narrative:
- hostibus ā mīlitibus nostrīs victīs, incolumēs fuissēmus. If the enemies had been conquered by our soldiers, we would have been safe. (ablative absolute replacing the protasis of a past contrary-to-fact)