Subjunctive in indirect statements

[Jairo]

Hi,

How do I render the subjunctive mood for indirect statements (specially for conditionals)? For example, how should I translate "he said that he would believe if he saw." Could it be "se credere si videret dicit"?

Thanks.

[adrianus]

For example, how should I translate "he said that he would believe if he saw." Could it be "se credere si videret dicit"?

Salve Jairo

1_vivid_eng. I will believe if I see.
1_vivid_latin. Si viderim (perfectum praeteritum. activae vocis. subjunctivo modo), credam (futuro tempore activae vocis indicativo modo)

2_less_vivid_eng. I would believe if I saw. = I would believe if i were to see.
2_less_vivid_latin. Si videam (pres. act. subj.), credam. (presento. activae. subjunctivo.)

1_reported_primary_eng. He says that he will believe if he sees.
Dicit se, si videat (pres. act. subj.), crediturum esse.
2_reported_primary_eng. He says that he would believe if he saw.
Dicit se, si videat, crediturum esse.

1_reported_secondary_eng. He said that he would believe if he saw.
Dixit se, si videret (imp. act. subj.), crediturum esse.
2_reported_secondary_eng. He said that he would believe if he saw.
Dixit se, si videret, crediturum esse.

Regarding the main verb: Future infinitive for present subjunctive. Future-in-the-past infinitive ("crediturum fuisse") for imperfect and pluperfect subjunctives.
Quoàd attinet ad verbum princeps. Infinitivum futurum pro subjunctivo modo praesenti tempore. Infinitivum futurum praeteritum ("crediturum fuisse") pro subjunctivo modo et imperfecto et plusquàmperfecto tempore.

Regarding the si clause: sequence of tenses applies. After primary: present/composite future/perfect subj. After secondary: imperfect/pluperfect/composite-in-the-past.
Quoàd attinet ad clausulam per "si": ordo temporum pertinet.

I give up the ghost. Best see a good grammar, e.g., A&G §585. Or another may help here.
Animum ago. In grammaticam bonam inquiras, exempli gratiâ, in A&G §585. Forsàn alius hîc te adjuvabit.