I suppose I already have some ideas about when to use one or the other, but I think I require some explanation. What I need is clear and essential explanation, preferrably with clear exemplification, of when to use the future imperative and when the present imperative. I want to recognize cases when to use one or the other. So is there a nice short essential list of information (with examples) of typical cases?
I can imagine that one might use the future imperative in, for example, the following case:
What if person A tells person B, "Go, my son, and get me the glass of water!" Is it then proper to use the future imperative? I would sooner in this case use the present imperative, e.g.:
I can imagine that one might use the future imperative in, for example, the following case:
Locutus est dux digitum intendens eis militibus, "Ite et, cum coram hosti stetis, ne oppugnatote nec capimini metu, sed manetote primo incursionem eorum. Tum proficitote et necatote secundum consilium quod ante exposui."
It is obvious that the soldiers in this example are not yet in the battle which is to come. They are still receiving instruction before their leader. In this way it looks as though one may use the future imperative for the envisioned situation of when the battle will occur (if it will indeed occur).
What if person A tells person B, "Go, my son, and get me the glass of water!" Is it then proper to use the future imperative? I would sooner in this case use the present imperative, e.g.:
Vade, fili, et affer poculum aquae!
In this case it seems (more) immediate, so the present imperative may be used.
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