§319. Omission of Subject or Verb

The verb is sometimes omitted:—

a. Dīcō, faciō, agō, and other common verbs are often omitted in familiar phrases:—

• quōrsum haec [spectant], what does this aim at?
• ex ungue leōnem [cōgnōscēs], you will know a lion by his claw.
• quid multa, what need of many words? (why should I say much?)
• quid? quod, what of this, that ...? (what shall I say of this, that ... ?) [A form of transition.]
• Aeolus haec contrā; (Aen. 1.76), Æolus thus [spoke] in reply.
• tum Cotta [inquit], then said Cotta.
• dī meliōra [duint]! (Cat. M. 47), Heaven forfend (may the gods grant better things)!
• unde [venīs] et quō [tendis]? (Hor. S. 2.4.1), where from and whither bound? [Cf. id. 1.9.62for the full form.]

b. The copula sum is very commonly omitted in the present indica tive and present infinitive, rarely (except by late authors) in the sub junctive:—

• tū coniūnx (Aen. 4.113), you [are] his wife.
• quid ergō? audācissimus ego ex omnibus (Rosc. Am. 2), what then? am I the boldest of all?
• omnia praeclāra rāra (Lael. 79), all the best things are rare.
• potest incidere saepe contentiō et comparātiō dē duōbus honestīs utrum honestius (Off. 1.152), there may often occur a comparison of two honorable actions, as to which is the more honorable. [Here, if any copula were expressed, it would be sit, but the direct question would be complete without any.]
• accipe quae peragenda prius (Aen. 6.136), hear what is first to be accomplished. [Direct: quae peragenda prius?]

Particles