Result Clauses
Table of contents
Expressions of Result
In English, an expression of result tells us the outcome or result of the action of the main verb. Below are some basic examples and variations of expressions of result (the expression of result is bolded):
- She was so smart that even her teachers were awed by her intelligence.
- He worked so hard that he never slept.
- She helped them with their homework in such a way that they got a good grade in the course.
Notice that the first two examples include the signal adverb “so”. Words like “so”, “so much”, “such”, and “such great” often indicate the presence of a result clause in a sentence.
Result Clauses
The most common way to express result in Latin is through a result clause. Result clauses are dependent clauses (i.e., they generally follow an main clause) that have two key features:
- A subordinating conjunction (ut for a positive result clause, but ut … nōn for a negative result clause)
- Note how this differs from a negative purpose clause, which is introduced with nē.
- A verb in the subjunctive mood, depending on the sequence of tenses
In addition to these key features, a result clause will be sometimes be preceded by a main clause that features an adverb of degree such as tam (“so, such [a]”); ita (“so, such [a]”); sīc (“thus”, “in such a way”); or adeō (“to such an extent”); or an adjective of degree like tantus, -a, -um (“such great, so much”) or tālis, -e (“such [a]”).
How do we translate a sentence containing a result clause? Take the following example:
- taurus sīc cucurrit ut agricolae eum capere nōn possent.
First, we break the sentence into dependent (bolded) and independent (italicized) clauses. In the case of a sentence containing a result clause, we can recognize the dependent clause rather easily as it begins with ut or ut nōn.
- taurus sīc cucurrit ut agricolae eum capere nōn possent.
We then translate the independent clause (notice the use of sīc in the independent clause):
- The bull ran in such a way ut agricolae eum capere nōn possent.
After that, we translate the result clause starting with the conjunction ut, “that”. The tense of the verb in the result clause translation depends on whether you’re in primary or secondary sequence. Take a look at the example from above:
- taurus sīc cucurrit ut agricolae eum capere nōn possent.
- The bull ran in such a way that the farmers were not able to seize it.
In primary sequence, the sentence and translation might look something like this:
- taurus sīc currit ut agricolae eum capere nōn possint.
- The bull is running in such a way that the farmers are not able to seize it.
Unlike the verbs in purpose clauses, which are translated with auxiliary verbs like “would” or “might”, the verbs in result clauses are translated in a more “indicative” way that takes into account the tense of the subjunctive verb in relation to the tense of the main verb.