VARIOUS USES OF THE SUBJUNCTIVE AND OPTATIVE

1. The subjunctiveand optative are used in conditional statements.

2. The subjunctive and optative are used in clauses introduced by i(/na, w(j or o(/pwj to express purpose ("in order to"):

 ·  main verbs in present/future time use the subjunctive in purpose clauses
 · main verbs in past time use the optative in purpose clauses
3. The first person plural subjunctive as main verb expresses exhortation ("let us ...")

4. The optative + a)/n as main verb expresses what might or would happen
            this construction is actually the apodosis of an implied future less vivid condition

5. The optative is used with o(/tiand w(j in indirect discourse
 

"TENSE" OF SUBJUNCTIVES AND OPTATIVES ALWAYS REFLECTS ASPECT, NOT TIME, except in indirect discourse


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