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'.

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Answered by Zarifah N. Latin tutor

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