quaerent

Quaerent is a Latin verb form—the present active subjunctive, third-person plural, of the verb quaerere (to seek, to inquire). It is formed from the present stem quaer- with the subjunctive ending -ent. The corresponding indicative present is quaerunt, so quaerent signals mood rather than tense and is used in subordinate clauses to express potential, wish, doubt, or hypothetical action.

In usage, quaerent commonly appears in indirect questions (after verbs like scio or nescio), in purpose clauses introduced by ut, and in other contexts that require the subjunctive mood. As a subjunctive form, it helps convey non-factual, conditional, or intentionally unsettled action within Latin syntax.

Translation of quaerent depends on context and can range from “they may seek” to “that they seek,” within subordinate clauses that require the subjunctive. It is not a standalone lexical item in English; rather, it is a grammatical form of quaerere encountered in classical Latin texts.

Example: Nescio quid quaerent. Translation: I do not know what they seek.

Notes: Quaerent is primarily encountered in literary or educational Latin materials illustrating the present subjunctive in plural third person. For broader study, it is often contrasted with the indicative quaerunt and with other subjunctive forms of quaerere. See also quaerere and related subjunctive forms.