Year 4C · Grade 8: Purpose and Result
Tell a purpose clause from a result clause, and choose the subjunctive that matches the main verb.
What to notice
- ut and ne for purpose
- tam, ita, and adeo for result
- sequence of tenses
Explanation
Purpose tells why, and it uses ut plus the subjunctive, or ne if the purpose is negative. Venit ut videat means he comes in order to see. Fugit ne capiatur means he flees so that he may not be captured. If the main verb is present or future, the clause uses the present subjunctive. If the main verb is past, the clause uses the imperfect subjunctive: Venerat ut videret, he had come in order to see.
Result tells what actually follows, and it is marked by a signal word such as tam, ita, sic, adeo, or tantus. Tam fessus est ut dormiat means he is so tired that he sleeps. Without a signal word, ut plus the subjunctive is usually purpose. With tam or adeo, read it as result.
Examples
- Venit ut videat. — He comes in order to see. Purpose, after a present main verb.
- Venerat ut videret. — He had come in order to see. Purpose, after a past main verb.
- Fugit ne capiatur. — He flees so that he may not be captured. Ne is negative purpose.
- Tam fessus est ut dormiat. — He is so tired that he sleeps. Tam marks result.
- Adeo celeriter cucurrit ut caderet. — He ran so fast that he fell. Adeo also marks result.
Latin in this lesson
- Venit ut videat. — purpose
- Venerat ut videret. — imperfect subjunctive after a past verb
- Fugit ne capiatur. — negative purpose
- Tam fessus est ut dormiat. — result
- adeo — a result signal
- venit ut / tam ... ut — purpose, then result