quīn
quīn can function in different ways. We will look at these separately.
[1] The “confusion” that can occur with the use of quīn is that, based on its formation, it is already negative < quī (adverb: why) + nē (not)
In the examples below it is functioning as an adverb with the meaning “Why … not?” It is not asking a question but making a suggestion. Compare English: “Why don’t we go to the cinema?” = “How about we go…” or (more informally) “How about us going …?”
Quīn tū tacēs! (Plautus)
- Why don't you shut up!
Quīn urbēs et moenia adgredimur? (Livy)
- Why don't we attack the cities and walls?
Quīn… cōnscendimus equōs? (Livy)
- Why don’t we mount the horses?
[2]
[i] Its second use is as a conjunction with negative verbs of doubt. Here, it is better not to be influenced by the first usage since it is a separate construction.
In this construction the verb in the clause introduced by quīn is in the subjunctive.
Nōn dubitō ¦ quīn fortis sit.
- I do not doubt ¦ that he is brave; not: “I do not doubt that *he is not* brave.”
Therefore, it is better simply to think of quīn as “that” in this context.
Nōn / haud dubium erat ¦ quīn milēs fortis esset.
- There was no doubt ¦ that the soldier was brave.
[ii] Similarly, when the ‘doubt’ is being questioned, quīn is also used:
Quis dubitat ¦ quīn mīles fortis sit?
- Who doubts ¦ that the soldier is brave?
In other words, the speaker “challenges” any suggestion that the soldier may not be brave; he expects the answer to be negative.
Num quisquam dubitāre potuit ¦ quīn fortis esset?
- Surely no one could have doubted ¦ that he was brave?
Dubitās igitur, quīn nōs in hostium numerō habeat?
- Do you doubt, therefore, that he considers us [Cicero: me] as one of his enemies?
[iii] The sequence of tenses i.e. (1) primary and (2) secondary / historic applies:
(1) Primary Sequence:
Nōn dubitō [present indicative] ¦ quīn milēs fortis sit [present subjunctive].
- I do not doubt ¦ that the soldier is brave.
Mihi nōn dubium est [present indicative] ¦ quīn mīles fortiter pugnāverit [perfect subjunctive].
- I have no doubt ¦ that the soldier has fought bravely.
Nōn dubitō [present indicative], quīn tū Pompēium exspectāris [= exspectāverīs; perfect subjunctive].
- I don’t doubt that you have waited for Pompey.
(2) Secondary / Historic Sequence:
Nōn dubitābam [imperfect indicative] ¦ quīn mīles fortis esset [imperfect subjunctive].
- I did not doubt ¦ that the soldier was brave.
Haud dubium erat ¦ quīn hostēs fugissent [pluperfect subjunctive].
- There was no doubt ¦ that the enemy had fled.
[iv] Although quīn is particularly common with negative verbs of doubt, it does occur with:
(1) other negative verbs that convey ideas such as not refusing, not preventing, not delaying etc.
The verbs and expressions which are followed by quīn are too varied to provide a definitive list. In broad terms, whatever is stated in the clause with quīn is not refused or denied or prevented by the speaker in the main clause. Translations may rephrase the clause to express the idea more fluently.
Nōn recūsat ¦ quīn iūdicēs (Cicero)
- He does not object ¦ (literally) that you are judging = He does not object to your judging.
Praeterīre nōn potuī ¦ quīn scrīberem ad tē (Cicero)
- I could not neglect writing to you.
Prōrsus nihil abest, ¦ quīn sim miserrimus (Cicero)
- nihil abest often has the sense of ‘there is nothing missing / lacking’
There is absolutely nothing lacking to make me utterly wretched.
- = Absolutely nothing prevents me from being utterly wretched.
(2) when the statement is being challenged:
Quis īgnōrat ¦ quīn tria Graecōrum genera sint?
- Who does not know ¦ that there are three types of Greeks?
[v] There are constructions which allow for a double negative; in these examples the original negative idea of quīn can be translated:
Nēmō est ¦ quīn hoc sciat.
- There is nobody ¦ who does not know this = Everybody knows this.
Nūllus est ¦ quīn hoc videat.
- There is no one ¦ who does not see this = Everybody sees this.
Nihil est ¦ quīn intellegī possit.
- There is nothing ¦ that cannot be understood = Everything can be understood.
