46.25 The DELIBERATIVE subjunctive is used when a speaker is asking himself or herself a question about what to do or what to say (S 1805-1808, G 471). Common characteristics of the deliberative subjunctive are:
- It is used only in the PRESENT or AORIST tense
- It is used only in the 1st PERSON
- The negative is μή
DELIBERATIVE subjunctives are always found in QUESTIONS. This distinguishes them from HORTATORY subjunctives, which are statements.
- παύωμεν τοὺς ἐκ τῆς μάχης φεύγοντας;
- Shall we stop the men fleeing from battle?
- πόλεμον παύσωμεν;
- Shall we stop the war?
- τοὺς ἵππους λύσω;
- Shall I free the horses?
- τοὺς ἵππους λύωμεν;
- Shall we free the horses?
- τοὺς ἵππους λαβώμεθα;
- Shall we take the horses?