http://thechildoftime.livejournal.com/ ([identity profile] thechildoftime.livejournal.com) wrote in [personal profile] truepenny 2007-10-17 12:16 am (UTC)

Noli facere vs. nec facias is like "stop that!" versus "please don't do that."

If something awful is going to happen if someone turns on the light, I would be much more likely to use the imperative. If I was more concerned about being polite than about getting the person I'm addressing to cut it out, I would be more likely to use the (jussive) subjunctive. It's command versus request.

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