The Use of quod in Substantive Clauses
D. S. Neil Van Leeuwen
General Remarks
One type of substantive clause (i.e., subordinate clause that functions
as a noun) is the construction involving quod plus the indicative, where
quod has the sense of "that" or "the fact that" and the statement as a
whole is intended to represent fact.
As with other substantive clauses, the "quod clause" can function as
the subject or object of a verb, as an appositive, as a predicate nominative,
or with an impersonal verb. The following examples are intended
to display usages of the "quod clause" in each scenario.
Examples
Example 1 (predicate nominative):
-
alterum est vitium, quod quidam nimis magnum studium conferuntÖ
-
It is another fault that some contribute too much eagernessÖ
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(The use of "quod" here asserts factuality, as opposed to ut plus the subjunctive
or accusitive plus infinitive, which have other, nonfactual senses.)
Example 2 (appositive):
-
inter inanimum et animal hoc maxime interest, quod animal agit aliquidÖ
-
This is the greatest difference between animal and inanimate object, the
fact that animal does somethingÖ
-
(Here quod is in apposition to hoc.)
Example 3 (object of verb):
-
praetereo quod eam sibi domum sedemque delegitÖ
-
Iíll go beyond the fact that she choose that house and home for herselfÖ
Example 4 (subject of verb):
-
quod rediit nobis mirabile videturÖ
-
The fact that he returned seems marvelous to usÖ
Example 5 (with impersonal verb):
-
accidit perincomode quod eum nusquam vidistiÖ
-
It happened unfortunately that you saw him nowhereÖ
Example 6:
A substantive clause with quod sometimes functions as accusative of
specification, which one is able to translate using such phrases as "whereas"
and "as to the fact that."
-
quod mihi de nostro statu gratularis, minime miramur te tuis praeclaris
operibus laetariÖ
-
As to the fact that you congratulate me concerning our situation, we are
hardly amazed that you are happy with your excellent affairsÖ
Example 7:
Verbs or expressions of feeling can also take quod (or quia) plus the
indicative (otherwise they might take accusative plus infinitive).
-
quod scribis gaudeoÖ
-
I take joy that you write (me)Ö
References:
1. Allen, J. H., and Greenough, J. B., A New Latin Grammar, Aristide
D. Caratzas, New Rochelle, New York, 1998.
2. Gildersleeve, B. L., and Lodge, G., Latin Grammar, Macmillan, London,
1974.
3. Hale, W. G., A Latin Grammar, University of Alabama Press, 1966.
Notes:
-
The content of this page is taken primarily from two sources: Allen
& Greenough and Lewis &Short. In organizing the material,
I have followed Allen & Greenough, as the two differing methods of
organization of this type of clause offered in the two texts are incommensurable
with one another. According to Gildersleeve and Lodge, for example,
such clauses should be termed "Object sentences introduced by QUOD;" they
are then viewed as "periphrasis" or "expansion of elements in the leading
sentence." (Gildersleeve and Lodge: 1974, p. 327).
-
For all the examples, I am of course indebted to Allen & Greenough,
section 572.