[*] 477. The Pluperfect is used (1) to denote an action or state completed in past time; or (2) sometimes to denote an action in indefinite time, but prior to some past time referred to:—
- (1) locī nātūra erat haec, “quem locum nostrī castrīs dēlēgerant” (B. G. 2.18) , this was the nature of the ground which our men had chosen for a camp.
- Viridovīx summam imperī tenēbat eārum omnium cīvitātum quae dēfēcerant (id. 3.17), Viridovix held the chief command of all those tribes which had revolted.
- (2) “neque vērō cum aliquid mandāverat cōnfectum putābat” (Cat. 3.16) , but when he had given a thing in charge he did not look on it as done.
- “quae sī quandō adepta est id quod eī fuerat concupītum, tum fert alacritātem ” (Tusc. 4.15) , if it (desire) ever has gained what it had [previously] desired, then it produces joy.