surgissem

Surgissem is a term encountered in some grammars and learner discussions as a hypothetical or nonstandard Latin verb form related to the verb surgo, “to rise.” It is generally described as a proposed pluperfect subjunctive form, but it is not part of the classical Latin paradigm.

In standard classical Latin, the pluperfect active subjunctive of surgo is surrexissem, meaning “I had risen,” with surrexissem being formed from the perfect stem surrexi- and the subjunctive endings. The form surgissem is not attested in authoritative Latin texts, and most grammars treat it as nonstandard or erroneous. When it is discussed, it is usually in the context of explaining irregular or historically uncertain morphology and highlighting why surrexissem is the correct formation.

Formation and analysis: If one were to form surgissem regularly from a present stem surg-, it would resemble the pattern of an -issem ending used in the pluperfect subjunctive. However, Latin phonology and the established perfect stem surrexi- make such a construction unmotivated in genuine classical usage, and no canonical sources attest surgissem as a legitimate form for surgo.

Usage and attribution: Surgissem does not occur in classical authors and is rarely, if ever, found in high-quality medieval or later Latin as a legitimate or conventional form. It is mainly noted in discussions of morphology as a cautionary example of nonstandard or mistaken formations. See also surgo, surrexissem, surrexissem.