Sequence of Moods

Greek Learning Greek
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Χαίρετε!

In Unit 32, Professor Mastronarde sticks with subjunctives, but he does give a heads up about something I will be facing in future units: Sequence of Moods. He writes,

“5. Sequence of Moods. In a complex sentence, there is a tendency in Greek for a subordinate subjunctive , with its primary endings, to be associated with a main clause that contains a primary tense or refers to the present of future. Similarly, a subordinate optative, with its generally secondary endings (as will be seen in Unite 33), tends to be associated with a main clause that contains a secondary tense or refers to the past. This association is called the sequence of moods, and a subordinate verb depending on a main verb in primary sequence, whereas a subordinate verb depending on a main verb in a secondary tense is said to be in secondary sequence.”

I am wondering if the main verb is always an indicative or can also be in other moods?

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Hansen and Quinn has on page 757: “Any imperative, independent subjunctive, or independent optative counts as primary.”

An example of primary sequence after a hortatory subjunctive used in a purpose clause:

μαχεσώμεθα ἳνα μὴ καταλυθῇ ἡ πόλις.

Let us fight in order that the city may not be destroyed.

This makes sense given that the hortatory subjunctive (μαχεσώμεθα) refers “to the present or future”, so we have primary sequence.

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