Tuesday, February 10, 2026

Level 3+; Subjunctive [45] present subjunctive of deponent verbs

Deponent verbs are passive in form but active in meaning. They were first introduced here:

23.02.25: Level 3; deponent verbs (1)

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2024/12/230225-level-3-deponent-verbs-1.html

The present tense was specifically discussed here:

27.02.25: Level 3; deponent verbs (2)

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2024/12/270225-level-3-deponent-verbs-2.html

Image: Deponent verbs also have subjunctive forms, but the present subjunctive can be formed directly from the present indicative and by applying the vowel changes -e- / -ea- / -a- / -ia- (wE, fEAr, A, lIAR) i.e. the endings remain the same; it is only the stem vowels that change.

[i] conor, conārī, conātus sum [1/deponent]: attempt

Sīc vīta hominum est ut ad maleficium nēmō cōnētur sine spē (Cicero) │ Such is the life of men that no one may attempt wrongdoing without hope.

[ii] vereor, verērī, veritus sum [2/deponent]: fear

Tanta est tempestās ut nautae nūmen deōrum vereantur │ The storm is so great that  the sailors fear the power of the gods.

[iii] sequor, sequī, secūtus sum [3/deponent]: follow

Tanta auctōritās est ut omnēs eum sequantur │ His authority is so great that all follow him.

[iv] patior, patī, passus sum [3-iō/deponent]: suffer

Senex tam pauper est ut multum patiātur │ The old man is so poor that he suffers greatly.

[iv] mentior, mentīrī, mentītus sum [4/deponent]: lie

Nēmō sīc dēcipitur, ut dē inimīcō suō mentiātur (Quintillian) │ No one is deceived in such a way that he lies / would lie about his enemy.

[v] 2 subjunctives in the same sentence, one of which is deponent

loquor, loquī, locūtus sum [3/deponent]: speak

Frustō pānis condūcī potest, vel utī taceat vel utī loquātur (Cato) │ He can be bought / bribed with a piece of bread, so that he may either keep silent or speak.