If the second member is negative, annōn (less often necne) is used. Examples:—
| utrum honestum est an turpe, | } |
| honestumne est an turpe, | } is it honorable or base? |
| honestum est an turpe, | } |
| suntne dī annōn, are there gods or not? | |
a. An was not originally confined to double questions, but introduced single questions, having the force of -ne, nōnne, or num. Traces of this use survive in classical Latin; as,—
Ā rēbus gerendīs abstrahit senectūs. Quibus? An eīs quae juventūte geruntur et vīrībus? Old age (it is alleged) withdraws men from active pursuits. From what pursuits? Is it not merely from those which are carried on by the strength of youth?
5. Answers.
a. The answer YES is expressed by ita, etiam, vērō, sānē, or by repetition of the verb; as,—
'vīsne locum mūtēmus?' 'sānē'. 'Shall we change the place?' 'Certainly.'
'estīsne vōs lēgatī?' 'sumus.' 'Are you envoys?' 'Yes.'
b. The answer NO is expressed by nōn, minimē, minimē vērō, or by repeating the verb with a negative; as,—
'jam ea praeteriit?' 'nōn.' 'Has it passed?' 'No.'
'estne frāter intus?' 'nōn est.' 'Is your brother within?' 'No.'