How do I translate the purpose clause from Latin into English?

In latin, a purpose clause is formed by using the word 'ut' followed by a subjunctive. A purpose clause indicates the reason behind an action taking place. Therefore, the 'ut' is translated as 'in order to...' followed by the action indicated by the subjunctive. For example, in the sentence 'pueri in via manere volebant ut puellas spectarent' there is an 'ut' followed by the subjunctive 'spectarent'. You would translate this sentence as, 'the boys wanted to stay in the street in order to watch the girls'. Sometimes, in place of 'ut' the word 'ne' is used to indicate a negative purpose clause. In this case the same rules apply, and the 'ne' is translated as 'so that...not'. For example 'in taberna manebam ne verba imperatoris audirem' is translated as 'I remained in the shop so that I would not hear the words of the emperor'.

ZN
Answered by Zarifah N. Latin tutor

2714 Views

See similar Latin GCSE tutors

Related Latin GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Choose two of the following Latin words or verbs and give an English derivative for each word or verb : a) caelum b) sequor, sequi, sectutus sum c)senex d)verto, vertere, versi, versus


What's a good method to translate a sentence from Latin into English?


What is the main difference between Latin and English?


'dux militibus imperavit ut summa virtute pugnarent.' What construction is this? Parse 'militibus' and explain why it is like this. With the same construction, rewrite this sentence using 'iubeo' instead of 'imperare'.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning