Word
Quamvis comitia longa sint, sunt qui usque ad vesperum manere velint, ut suffragium ferant.
Meaning
Although the elections are long, there are those who want to remain until evening, so that they may cast a vote.
Part of speech
sentence
Pronunciation
Course
Lesson
Breakdown of Quamvis comitia longa sint, sunt qui usque ad vesperum manere velint, ut suffragium ferant.
esse
to be
longus
long
manere
to remain
velle
to want
Questions & Answers about Quamvis comitia longa sint, sunt qui usque ad vesperum manere velint, ut suffragium ferant.
Why is sint used after quamvis instead of sunt?
Because quamvis meaning although or however much normally introduces a concessive clause with the subjunctive in classical Latin.
So:
- Quamvis comitia longa sint = Although the elections/assembly may be long
- not indicative sunt
The subjunctive here does not necessarily make the idea doubtful in English. It is simply the standard grammar after quamvis in this kind of sentence.
Why is comitia plural, and why is the adjective longa rather than longae?
Comitia is a neuter plural noun. It refers to a public assembly, especially for elections or voting. Even when it may sound singular in English, in Latin it is grammatically plural.
That is why:
- comitia = nominative neuter plural
- longa = nominative neuter plural adjective agreeing with comitia
So comitia longa means the elections/assembly are long.
If the noun were feminine plural, then longae would make sense, but comitia is not feminine.
What is the construction sunt qui ... velint doing?