Indirect Commands … and how we can distinguish them from indirect questions and statements

Recognizing Indirect Commands There are three ways to recognize an indirect command: The first half of the sentence will contain one of the following verbs: hortor (encourage, urge), imperō, invītō, obsecrō (beg), ōrō (beg), rogō, moneō, persuādeō, and praecipiō. Ut or nē will introduce the indirect command. The second half of the sentence will contain a subjunctive.

Examples Aliōs rogāvit ut in domum prōcēderent. He asked some to go forward into the house. Hī iānitōrem ōrant nē sē dīmittat. These beg the doorkeeper not to send them away. Coquō praecēpit ut in ātrium venīret. He ordered the cook to come into the atrium.

Practice Cornēlius omnēs convīvās invītāvit ut apud sē cēnārent. Cornelius has invited all the guests to eat dinner at his house. In Tabulāriō pater rogat ut nōmen Marcī in tabulīs publicīs inscrībātur. In the Tabularium father asks that the name of Marcus be written in the public records.

Indirect What? Now we know three types of indirect clauses: questions, statements, and commands. An indirect statement will be the only clause to use an infinitive. An indirect question will be introduced by an interrogative word, while an indirect command will be introduced by ut

Using introductory verbs to distinguish between clauses Indirect commands are introduced by verbs of ordering, commanding, inviting, urging, asking, begging, etc. Indirect questions are introduced by verbs of asking, wondering, guessing, etc. Indirect statements are introduced by verbs of saying, thinking, knowing, hearing, feeling, seeing, etc.

In summary Indirect commands use subjunctives plus ut (to) and nē (not to). Indirect commands are introduced by the following verbs: hortor (encourage, urge), imperō, invītō, obsecrō (beg), ōrō (beg), rogō, moneō, persuādeō, and praecipiō. Indirect commands, statements, and questions can be distinguished by introductory verbs, verb forms used, and introductory words.