Indirect Questions
An indirect question is where, in a sentence, a question is asked - although it is not asked directly to someone. For example, instead of "Caecilius asked, 'Where have you been?'" (which is considered a direct question), an indirect question would be phrased like "Caecilius asked where the boy had been." Caecilius is still asking the boy, however the sentence does not specifically quote Caecilius.
Formation
M,A.S.S. verb* + question word (cur/ubi/etc.) + subjunctive
*M.A.S.S. = Mental Action, Speaking, Saying |
Translation
" The *noun* asked/knew/wondered WHY/HOW ________."
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Examples
milites cognoscere volunt UBI SENEX GEMMAS CELAVERIT.
"The soldiers want to find out WHERE THE OLD MAN HAS HIDDEN THE JEWELS."
utrum custos esset an carnifex, nemo SCIEBAT.
"Whether he was a gaurd or an executioner, no one KNEW."
"The soldiers want to find out WHERE THE OLD MAN HAS HIDDEN THE JEWELS."
utrum custos esset an carnifex, nemo SCIEBAT.
"Whether he was a gaurd or an executioner, no one KNEW."