Purpose Clauses
Purpose Clauses
• The ‘purpose clause’ (a dependent clause)
is used to show the purpose or intention of
the action of the main verb in the sentence
(in the independent clause).
(I do X now in order that I may have Y in the
future).
Purpose Clauses
• The purpose clause answers the question
"Why?" or "For what reason?", rather than
"What?".
• We study Latin so that we may learn more
about ancient Rome.
• We study Latin to improve our English.
• Answers the question “why?”
Purpose Clauses
• English often employs an infinitive to
express purpose –
We study Latin to improve our English.
• This use of the infinitive is rare in Latin
prose.
Purpose Clauses
• In order to show purpose, Latin most
commonly employs a subjunctive clause
introduced by ut (or nē for negative
purpose).
• The auxiliary “may” is frequently used in
translating the present tense in a purpose
clause:
We study Latin so that we may learn more
about Rome.
Purpose Clauses
• Often we can translate a purpose clause with an
infinitive if the subject of the purpose clause is the
same as that of the main clause.
We study Latin to improve our English.
We study Latin so that we may improve our English.
We study Latin in order that we may improve our
English.
Purpose Clauses
Hoc dīcit ut eōs iuvet.
He says this to help them.
He says this in order to help them.
He says this so that he may help them.
He says this in order that he may help them.
Purpose Clauses
Discēdit nē id audiat.
He leaves so that he may not hear this.
Purpose Clauses
Cum cūrā docet ut discipulī bene
discant.
He teaches with care so that the
students may learn well.
Purpose Clauses
Hoc facit nē capiātur.
He does this so that he may not be
seized.
Purpose Clauses
Librōs legimus ut multa discāmus.
We read books so that we may learn
many things.
Purpose Clauses
Bonōs librōs nōbīs dent nē malōs
legāmus.
Let them give good books to us so that
we may not read bad ones.
Sequence of tenses
Primary tenses
• Present
• Perfect with ‘have’
• Future
Secondary (historic)
• Perfect without have (‘aorist’)
• Imperfect
• Pluperfect
Sequence of tenses
If first tense is in a primary tense
• Then the second is present
subjunctive
If first verb is in secondary tense
• Then the second is imperfect
subjunctive
Purpose Clauses
• How do we spot a purpose clause?
• Subordinate clause introduced by ut or
nē
• Subjunctive verb
• Answers the question “why?”