possim; "I fear that …"
The subjunctive of possum, and why nē means "that" after a verb of fearing.
LatinAdvanced Latin · The subjunctiveAbout 3 min: 1 reading, 2 practiceUpdated
- Give the subjunctive of possum
- Use nē (that, lest) and ut (that not) after verbs of fearing
- Apply the sequence of tenses to fearing clauses
Latin Level 3: constructions: lesson 5 of 14
- Advanced Latin · The subjunctive
- amem, regam, sim: the present subjunctive 4 min
- ut, nē, quī: purpose clauses 3 min
- amārem, essem: the imperfect subjunctive and the sequence of tenses 4 min
- amāverim, amāvissem; indirect commands 3 min
- possim; "I fear that …" 3 min
- Advanced Latin · Participles and irregular verbs
- amāns, amātus, amātūrus, amandus: participles 3 min
- volō, nōlō, mālō; the ablative absolute 4 min
- Advanced Latin · Clauses
- fīō; "so … that": result clauses 4 min
- "The man to lead us": clauses of characteristic 3 min
- cum: when, since, although 3 min
- Advanced Latin · Participles and irregular verbs
- amandī, ad urbem videndam: gerund and gerundive 4 min
- Advanced Latin · Clauses
- eō; "he said that …": indirect statement 4 min
- ferō; the dative with compounds; indirect questions 4 min
- Advanced Latin · Review
- The cases and the moods: a review 4 min
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Pairs with D'Ooge, Latin for Beginners (Ginn, 1909), Lesson LXV ("The Subjunctive of Possum · Verbs of Fearing"), §§ 369–372
What it is
Subjunctive of possum:
| Tense | Forms |
|---|---|
| Present | possim, possīs, possit, possīmus, possītis, possint |
| Imperfect | possem, possēs, posset … |
| Perfect | potuerim, potueris … |
| Pluperfect | potuissem, potuissēs … |
Fearing clauses. A fear is a wish turned inside out: you fear what you don't want. So Latin uses a purpose-type clause with the subjunctive, but the conjunctions look reversed to English speakers:
- nē = that, lest (you fear it will happen)
- ut = that … not (you fear it won't happen)
| Latin | English |
|---|---|
| Timeō nē veniat. | I fear that he will come. |
| Timeō ut veniat. | I fear that he will not come. |
| Timēbam nē venīret. | I was afraid that he would come. |
Nē nōn is also found for "that … not". The sequence of tenses applies: past main verb, imperfect or pluperfect subjunctive.
Quick check
Tap an answer to check it.
Timeō nē hostēs veniant means …
- nē after a verb of fearing means "that"
Show answer
I fear that the enemy will come.. Fearing + nē = that, lest.
Why it matters
Fear drives stories: soldiers fear the enemy will attack, a king fears the citizens won't obey. The reversed nē / ut catches nearly every learner once; after that it's easy.
Worked example
- Mīlitēs verentur nē hostēs urbem capiant. → The soldiers fear that the enemy will take the city.
- Rēx timēbat ut cīvēs pārērent. → The king was afraid that the citizens would not obey.
- Vereor nē nōn possīmus venīre. → I fear that we cannot come.
Common mistake
Translating nē as "not" after a verb of fearing: wrong: I fear that he will not come for Timeō nē veniat. After fearing, nē = that, and ut = that not.
Key terms
- possim, possīs, possit
- present subjunctive of possum
- timeō, timēre, timuī
- fear
- vereor, verērī, veritus sum
- fear
- nē (after fearing)
- that, lest
- ut (after fearing)
- that … not
Practise the key terms
Tap a card to turn it over. 5 cards.
| Front | Back |
|---|---|
| possim, possīs, possit | present subjunctive of possum |
| timeō, timēre, timuī | fear |
| vereor, verērī, veritus sum | fear |
| nē (after fearing) | that, lest |
| ut (after fearing) | that … not |
Practice
Quick quiz
Tap an answer to check it.
"I fear that he will not come."
- nē means "that" here
Show answer
Timeō ut veniat.. Fearing + ut = that … not.
"They were afraid that the town would be taken."
- Past main verb: imperfect subjunctive
Show answer
Timēbant nē oppidum caperētur.. Secondary sequence: caperētur.
Present subjunctive of possum, "they"
- Indicative
Show answer
possint. possim, possīs, possit, possīmus, possītis, possint.
Practise speaking
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You are a patient Latin tutor. Use the classical pronunciation only, never the Church one: c is always k, g is always hard, v sounds like w, ae like the ai in aisle, and long vowels are held longer. Speak slowly. Use only these Latin words: timeō, timēbam, timēbant, vereor, verentur, nē, ut, veniat, veniant, venīret, capiant, caperent, pārērent, possīmus, hostēs, cīvēs, mīlitēs, rēx, urbem. Say English sentences like 'I fear that the enemy will come', 'I fear that he will not come' or 'the soldiers were afraid that the enemy would take the city', and I will say them in Latin, choosing nē or ut. Do 8 sentences. After each answer, tell me what kind of mistake I made, if any, and let me try again, then tell me one thing to improve. Keep every reply under 2 sentences. If I need a name or a town, I will make one up. Speak English except for the Latin itself.
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Good to know. AI feedback on pronunciation is hit and miss, so check yourself against native recordings. This course teaches the classical pronunciation (see lesson 1); AI voices may mix it with the Church (Italian-style) one, so ask for classical and check against lesson 1. Don't share personal details: use a made-up name and town.
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In short
- possum subjunctive: possim; possem; potuerim; potuissem.
- After fearing: nē = that / lest; ut (or nē nōn) = that … not.
- Sequence of tenses applies.
Mastery check
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Check yourself
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What does nē mean after timeō?
Show answer
That, lest.
Translate Vereor ut veniant.
Show answer
I fear that they will not come.
Give the imperfect subjunctive of possum, "he".
Show answer
posset.
Further reading
- D'Ooge, Latin for Beginners, Lesson LXV, §§ 369–372. Public domain; Project Gutenberg.
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