Stage 27

Subjunctive Review and Result Clauses

You now know four uses of the subjunctive, all of them dependent clauses. These uses are: cum clause, indirect question, indirect command and purpose clause. I have described each of these uses below. Label the description with the proper name.

1.    Uses ‘ut’ to introduce the subjunctive clause, which explains why the activity in the main clause has taken place.

2.    Uses ‘cum’ to introduce the subjunctive clause, which sets a time frame for the main sentence.

3.    Uses ‘ut’ to introduce the subjunctive clause, which reports an order or command. The main verb indicates or implies a command. (ex. imperō, iubeō, incītō)

4.    The subjunctive clause reports a question and is introduced by a question word such as ‘cur’ or ‘quō modō’. The main verb indicates or implies a question (ex. rogo, nescio)

Identify the type of subjunctive clause illustrated by each sentence below and translate each one.

1.    Agricola, cum legiōnem inspexisset, mīlitēs centuriōnēsque laudāvit.

2.    epistulam scripsī ut legatum dē periculō monērem.

3.    nuntius Britannīs persuasit ut dona ad aulam ferrent.

4.    Rōmānī nesciēbant quot hostēs in castrīs manērent.

There is another type of subjunctive, which is introduced with the conjunction ‘ut’. Here are two examples.

Ex 1:      cur tam insanus eram UT TIBI CREDERET?               

Trans:    Why was I so insane THAT I BELIEVED YOU?

Ex2:     tanta erat multitudo UT TOTAM AULAM COMPLERET.

Trans:   So great was the crowd THAT IT FILLED THE WHOLE PALACE.

Notice that the subjunctive clause explains an outcome of the main clause. The main clause is characterized by an expression of such a great quantity of something that a certain scenario results from it. In the first sentence Agricola has such a great quantity of insanity that the result is that he believes Salvius.

This subjunctive clause is called a RESULT CLAUSE.

The result clause can be recognized by ‘ut’ and by a signal word in the main clause which indicates great quantity. Some examples are: tot (so many), tam (so), tantus (so great), adeo (so greatly), and ita (so).

Translate these examples of the result clause to help you get the idea.

1. tam stultus erat puer ut omnēs eum dēriderent.

2. mercator tot villās habēbat ut eās numerāre nōn posset.

3. adeō attonitus erat fīlius meus ut diū immotus stāret.

The story ‘Modestus promotus’ on pp. 116-118 has many examples of these five subjunctive clauses. Find them and label the type. (There are 12 subjunctive clauses on p. 116, none on p. 117 and 4 on p. 118.)