1. Intro to Purpose Clauses

2. What does a purpose clause do? Purpose clauses are subordinate to the main clause, the original statement of the sentence. They go one step further than the main clause to answer the question: “why?” – In other words, a purpose clause defines what someone intends to achieve by a particular course of action – their PURPOSE!

3. Some Examples: I’m driving to California. – why? I’m visiting my brother. Combined to produce a main clause and subordinate purpose clause: – I’m driving to California to visit my brother.

4. The structure of purpose clauses Let’s look at our example: – I’m driving to California to visit my brother. How do we express purpose in English? – I’m driving to California to visit my brother. In English, the purpose clause begins with the infinitive

5. How does Latin show purpose? In Latin, the purpose clause begins not with the infinitive, but with ut (in order that) – the verb of the purpose clause is a subjunctive verb Ex: Venit ut eam videat. He is coming in order that he may see her. Using the English infinitive construction: He is coming to see her.

6. Negative purpose clauses In Latin a negative purpose clause begins with ne (in order that…not) Ex: Puella discedit ne videatur. The girl is leaving in order that she not be seen. Using the English infinitive construction: The girl is leaving to not be seen.

7. Purpose clauses with comparatives N.B. When the Purpose clause has a comparative, ut is often replaced by an adjective or relative pronoun in the ablative. Ex:Gladium abicit quo facilius currat. He is throwing away his sword in order that he may run more easily. Using the English infinitive construction: He is throwing away his sword to run more easily.