22.05.26; Level 3+; Subjunctive [40] dependent uses [2] result [i]

[1] A result clause shows the outcome or consequence of an action. It is introduced by:

[i] ut + subjunctive: positive result

Tam stultus est ¦  ut hoc semper dīcat. │ He is so foolish ¦ that he always says this.

[ii] ut nōn + subjunctive: negative result

Tam timida est ¦ ut nōn respondeat. │ She is so timid ¦ that she does not answer.

[2] Result clauses can look very similar to purpose clauses especially when ut is used. However, note the differences:

(1) A negative result is not introduced by nē, but by ut nōn.

These two examples show the difference in meaning between a purpose clause and a result clause:

Cūstōdītus est ¦ nē effugeret. │ He was guarded ¦ in order that he might not escape i.e. purpose

Cūstōdītus est ¦ ut nōn effugeret. │ He was guarded ¦ so that he did not escape i.e. result / consequence

(2) There is frequently a ‘signal word’ in the main clause that indicates that a result clause is to follow. The signal words can refer to the extent / degree to which something is / was done, or the way in which something is / was done that led to the outcome. We can also say that these words express intensity.

The examples below also show the sequence of tenses with the present and imperfect subjunctive.

[i] tam … ut:  so … that

Tam fortis est [present indicative] ¦ ut hostēs vincat [present subjunctive] │ He is so brave ¦ that he conquers the enemy

Tam fortis erat [imperfect indicative] ¦ ut hostēs vinceret [imperfect subjunctive] │ He was so brave ¦ that he conquered the enemy

[ii] tantus / tanta / tantum … ut: so great … that

Tantus clāmor est ¦ ut cīvēs ōrātōrem nōn audiant. │ The noise is so great ¦ that the citizens do not hear the speaker.

Tantus clāmor erat ¦ ut cīvēs ōrātōrem nōn audīrent. │ The noise was so great ¦ that the citizens did not hear the speaker.

Magister tantam vōcem habet ¦ ut discipulī timeant. │ The teacher has such a great (loud) voice ¦ that the pupils are afraid.

Magister tantam vōcem habēbat ¦ ut discipulī timērent. │ The teacher had such a great (loud) voice ¦ that the pupils were afraid.

[iii] tot … ut:  so many … that

Tot mīlitēs urbem oppugnant ¦ ut valdē timeāmus. │ So many soldiers are attacking the city ¦ that we are very afraid.

Tot mīlitēs urbem oppugnābant ¦ ut valdē timerēmus. │ So many soldiers were attacking the city ¦ that we were very afraid.

[iv] tālis, -a … ut: such … that …

Puerī tālia verba clāmant ¦ ut mātrēs audīre nōlint. │ The boys are shouting such words ¦ that the mothers refuse to listen.

Puerī  tālia  verba  clāmābant  ¦ ut  mātrēs  audīre  nōllent. │ The boys were shouting such words ¦ that the mothers refused to listen.

[v] adeō … ut:  to such a degree … that

Rōmam adeō amat ¦ ut semper hīc habitāre velit. │ He loves Rome to such an extent ¦ that he always wants [literally: would always want] to live here.

Rōmam adeō amābat ¦ ut semper hīc habitāre vellet. │ He loved Rome to such an extent ¦ that he always wanted to live here.

Translations can vary and it is not always necessary to stick rigidly to the separate meanings given here i.e. He loves / loved Rome so much that … would be a smoother alternative in English.

fac sīs sit dēlātum hūc mihi frūmentum, hunc annum quod satis, mī et familiae omnī sit meae, atque adeō ¦ ut frūmentō a(f)fluam (Plautus)  │ See to it that grain is brought here to me—enough for this year, for me and for my whole household—and indeed so much ¦ that I may abound in grain.

nam quae flūmine Nīlō fertur, adeō est līmōsa ac turbida ¦ ut multōs variōsque morbōs efficiat (Bellum Alexandrinum) │ For what is carried by the Nile river is so muddy and turbid that it produces many and various diseases.

[vi] ita … ut = in such a way … that

Mūrōs ita aedificant ¦ ut hostēs eōs dēlēre nōn possint. │ They build the walls in such a way ¦ that the enemies cannot destroy them.

Mūrōs ita aedificāverant ut hostēs eōs dēlēre nōn possent. │ They had built the walls in such a way ¦ that the enemies could not destroy them.

[vii] sīc … ut: so / in such a way … that …

Sīc pugnat vēnātor ¦ ut leō fugiat. │ The hunter fights in such a way ¦ that the lion flees.

Sīc pugnāvit vēnātor ¦ ut leō fugeret. │ The hunter fought in such a way ¦ that the lion fled.

In practice, there is little difference between [vi] - [viii] above and you could equally find ita or adeō instead of sic in result clauses:

Ita pugnāvit vēnātor ut leō fugeret.

Adeō pugnāvit vēnātor ut leō fugeret.