Consequebantur

Consequebantur is a Latin verb form that appears in classical texts. It is the imperfect indicative, third-person plural, of the deponent verb consequor, consequi, consecutus sum. Although it uses passive morphology, the meaning is active, roughly “they were pursuing,” “they were following after,” or “they were overtaking.”

Etymology and meaning: The root comes from con- (“together, with”) and sequor (“to follow”). In usage, consequor can denote physical following, pursuit of an enemy, or the attainment of a goal, among other senses. The imperfect form consequebantur marks ongoing action in the past.

Morphology and usage: Consequebantur is part of a deponent verb, which uses passive endings with active meaning. The form contributes to indicating an ongoing past action, as in “they were pursuing.” The present indicative forms of consequor would be consector-like in appearance (consequor, consequeris, consequitur, consequimur, consequimini, consequuntur), while the imperfect shows ongoing past action, as in consequebantur.

Example: Milites consequebantur hostes. This translates to “The soldiers were pursuing the enemies.” The form is common in narrative and descriptive prose, illustrating how deponent verbs convey aspect and tense without using active endings.

See also: Latin deponent verbs, the verb consequor family, and Latin verb morphology.