03.10.26: Level 3+ (review); impersonal verbs [8] introducing clauses with ut + subjunctive; cōnstat + accusative-infinitive

[1] A number of impersonal verbs introduce a clause that expresses the actual or possible result. For most of these verbs, the translations are very similar and may vary in context.

accidit: it happens; it occurs

contingit: it happens; it comes to pass

efficitur: it is brought about; it results

ēvenit: it happens; it turns out

fierī potest: it is possible

fit: it happens; it comes about; the result is

sequitur: it follows; the result is

relinquitur: it remains; it is left (to conclude)

The result clause is constructed with ut + subjunctive:

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2026/02/220526-level-3-subjunctive-40-dependent.html

Eādem nocte accidit ut esset lūna plēna (Caesar)

• On that same night it happened that the moon was full.

Ita enim contingit ut aestāte pariat (Varro)

• For thus it happens that she gives birth in the summer.

Ex quō efficitur, ut, quod sit honestum, id sit solum bonum (Cicero)

• From which it is brought about that what is honorable is the only good.

Mī ēvēnit, ut ovāns praeda onustus incēderem (Plautus)

• It happened to me that I was marching along in jubilation, laden with booty.

Neque fierī potest ut doleat is, quī audit, ut ōderit, ut invideat, ut pertimēscat aliquid, ut ad flētum misericordiamque dēdūcātur (Cicero)

Note Cicero’s repetitive use of ut which, in translation, would sound clumsy:

• Nor is it possible that the listener [literally: he who listens] should feel pain, (that he should) hate, or envy, or fear anything, or be moved to tears and pity.

Fit ut pretiō novus vincat (Cicero)

• The result is that, through bribery, a new man is victorious.

Relinquitur ut, sī vincimur in Hispāniā, quiēscāmus (Cicero)

• It remains that, if we are defeated in Spain, we should be at rest (i.e. cease).

Sequitur ut dē frūmentō ēmptō vōs, iūdicēs, doceam (Cicero)

• It follows that I should inform you, judges, about the grain that was purchased.

[2] cōnstat: it is agreed; it is certain

In translation this impersonal verb introduces a clause i.e. “It is agreed that…”.

Unlike accidit ut, evenit ut, and the other expressions in [1] above which use ut + subjunctive, cōnstat works differently since it uses an accusative-infinitive construction in the same way as other indirect statements.

https://adckl.blogspot.com/search/label/indirect%20statement

(1) Pompēium [accusative] nōbīs amīcissimum cōnstat (2) esse [infinitive] (Cicero)

• It is certain ¦ [that] (1) Pompey (2) is very friendly towards us [ = me].

Cōnstat enim (1) aditūs [accusative] īnsulae (2) esse [infinitive] mūrātōs (Cicero)

• For it is proved ¦ [that] (1) the approaches to the island (2) are surrounded by walls.

Rhodōque Alexandrēam (1) C. Cassium [accusative] (2) prōfectum esse [infinitive] cōnstat (Cicero)

• It is certain ¦ [that] (1) C. Cassius (2) has left Rhodes for Alexandria.

(2) Horātiōs Cūriātiōsque [accusative]  (1) fuisse [infinitive] satis cōnstat (Livy)

• It is well enough agreed ¦ [that] (1) it was (2) the Horatii and Curiatii.