B. Ἐν with the Subjunctive
650 The subjunctive takes ἄν (rarely omitted), which is
joined with εἰ, forming ἐν (often contracted to ἤν
or ν).
The subjunctive puts the supposition simply, referring it either to future time, or to any or all time
(the generalizing present), whichever the context,
especially the leading clause, may indicate (Simple
Future Condition, or General Condition).
Ἤν μὲν μένωμεν, σπονδαί if we remain, a truce.
AN. II. 1, 22. ἢν τοῦτο λάβωμεν, οὐ δυνήσονται μένειν if we take this, they will not be able to remain.
AN. III. 4, 41. ἐν δʼ ἀπῇ τὸ χαίρειν, τλλʼ ἐγὼ καπνοῦ σκιᾶς οὐκ ἂν πριαίμην but if joy be gone, the rest
I would not for a vaporʼs shadοw buy. S. AN. 1170.
Eἴ τι νὺξ ἀφῇ, τοῦτʼ ἐπʼ ἦμαρ ἔρχται if night
leaves aught, this the day assails. S. OT. 198.
- a. For ἐν meaning on the chance that, see
[652](file:///x:/Departments/Classics_Texts/schoolgrammarofa00goodrich_porson/HTML%20Files/Chapter-652.html).
- b. Greek also uses the present indicative (with εἶ) in general conditions, as English does (cp.
[617](file:///x:/Departments/Classics_Texts/schoolgrammarofa00goodrich_porson/HTML%20Files/Chapter-617.html)).
- c. Greek and Latin uses of the subjunctive in conditions
must not be confused. ἐν with the subjunctive corresponds
to si with the future or future perfect indicative; si with the
subjunctive corresponds to εἰ with the optative (
[631](file:///x:/Departments/Classics_Texts/schoolgrammarofa00goodrich_porson/HTML%20Files/Chapter-631.html)): ἐν
τοῦτο ποιήσῃς si hoc facies or feceris.