§444. Subjunctive Mood

The Subjunctive is used in questions implying (1) doubt, indignation, or (2) an impossibility of the thing's being done. The negative is nōn.

• quid agam, iūdicēs? quō mē vertam (Verr. 5.2), what am I to do, judges ? whither shall I turn?
• etiamne eam salūtem (Pl. Rud. 1275), shall I greet her?
• quid hōc homine faciās? quod supplicium dīgnum libīdinī êius inveniās (Verr. 2.40), what are you to do with this man? what fit penalty can you devise for his wantonness?
• an ego nōn venīrem (Phil. 2.3), what, should I not have come?
• quid dīcerem (Att. 6.3.9), what was I to say?
• quis enim cēlāverit īgnem (Ov. H. 15.7), who could conceal the flame?

a. In many cases the question has become a mere exclamation, rejecting a suggested possibility:

• mihi umquam bonōrum praesidium dēfutūrum putārem (Mil. 94), could 1 think that the defence of good men would ever fail me!

Potential Subjunctive