23.06.26; Level 3+; Subjunctive [56] dependent uses [3] indirect commands (4); with fac ut and cūrā ut

fac (facite): imperative of faciō, facere
cūrā (cūrāte): imperative of cūrō, cūrāre

Although these imperatives normally mean “do/make” and “take care of”, they are very often used with an ut + subjunctive clause to form indirect commands.

In this construction, the speaker is not ordering the action directly, but instructing someone to see to it that something happens.

These expressions can convey:

• a gentle reminder
• a request e.g. you cannot command gods – either directly or indirectly – but the same construction is used
• a firm instruction
• a hope or concern

The exact English translation varies, but the core idea is:

“Make sure that …” / “See to it that …”

These are still imperatives, but they give the command indirectly rather than as a direct order.

[1]

Cūrā ¦ ut valeās (Cicero)│ literally: Take care ¦ that you may be well = Take care of yourself

Here, valeās is present subjunctive, showing what is desired.

Cūrā ¦ ut Romae sīs. (Cicero)│ literally: Take care ¦ that you may be in Rome = Be sure you’re in Rome.

Quārē cūrā, ¦ ut tē quam prīmum videāmus  │ For that reason, see to it ¦ that we see you as soon as possible [Cicero sometimes uses the 1^st person plural when referring to himself = So let me see you as soon as possible.]

It can exist in the plural, but it’s rare:

Sī nōs amātis, cūrāte ¦ ut valeātis (Cicero)

[2]

Fac ¦ ut ad mē quam prīmum veniās (Cicero)│ See to it ¦ that you come  to me as soon as possible.

Facite ¦ ut cēterīs posthāc īdem liceat (Cicero) │ See to it that the same thing may hereafter be permitted to others.

Practice

This particular construction is a very good way of reviewing present subjunctive forms. Complete the quotations with the verbs listed below.

[i] Make sure that I know │ Cūrā ut __________. (Plautus)

[ii] Let me know [= see to it that we know; example of Cicero’s use of ‘we’ when referring to himself] │ Fac ut __________. (Cicero)

[iii] Take care that you are well, and that you show affection for me and defend me while I am absent. │ Cūra ut __________ et mē absentem __________ atque __________. (Cicero)

[iv] See that you play the man [= … that you are …] │ Cūrā ut vir __________. (Cicero)

[v] Great gods, grant that she may truly be able to make such a promise, and that she may say it sincerely and from the heart. │ Dī magnī, facite ut vērē prōmittere __________ atque id sincērē __________ et ex animō. (Catullus)

[vi] See to it that fury may stir him. │ Fac ut hanc furor __________. (Catullus)

[vii] See to it / Make sure that you stay with me, together with your company. │ Fac ut … apud mē cum tuīs __________. (Cicero)

[viii] See to it that you postpone it to another day. │ Fac ut in alium diem __________. (Cicero)

[ix] Be sure you pay me a visit [literally: See to it that I see  (= we see) you] either at Formiae, or at Antium, or at Tusculum. │ Tē aut in Formiānō aut Antī aut in Tusculānō cūrā ut __________. (Cicero)

agitet; dēfendās; dīcat; differās; dīligās; maneās; possit; sciam; sciāmus; sīs; valeās; videāmus

____________________

[i] Cūrā ut sciam. (Plautus)

[ii] Fac ut sciāmus. (Cicero)

[iii] Cūra ut valeās et mē absentem dīligās atque dēfendās. (Cicero)

[iv] Cūrā ut vir sīs. (Cicero)

[v] Dī magnī, facite ut vērē prōmittere possit atque id sincērē dīcat et ex animō. (Catullus)

[vi] Fac ut hanc furor agitet. (Catullus)

[vii] Fac ut … apud mē cum tuīs maneās. (Cicero)

[viii] Fac ut in alium diem differās. (Cicero)

[ix] Tē aut in Formiānō aut Antī aut in Tusculānō cūrā ut videāmus. (Cicero)