ut, nē, quī: purpose clauses
"In order to" in Latin prose is never an infinitive. It is usually ut (or nē) with the subjunctive.
LatinAdvanced Latin · The subjunctiveAbout 3 min: 1 reading, 2 practiceUpdated
- Express purpose with ut, nē, quī and quō plus the subjunctive
- Never use the infinitive for purpose in Latin prose
- Translate purpose clauses naturally
Latin Level 3: constructions: lesson 2 of 14
- Advanced Latin · The subjunctive
- amem, regam, sim: the present subjunctive 4 min
- ut, nē, quī: purpose clauses 3 min
- amārem, essem: the imperfect subjunctive and the sequence of tenses 4 min
- amāverim, amāvissem; indirect commands 3 min
- possim; "I fear that …" 3 min
- Advanced Latin · Participles and irregular verbs
- amāns, amātus, amātūrus, amandus: participles 3 min
- volō, nōlō, mālō; the ablative absolute 4 min
- Advanced Latin · Clauses
- fīō; "so … that": result clauses 4 min
- "The man to lead us": clauses of characteristic 3 min
- cum: when, since, although 3 min
- Advanced Latin · Participles and irregular verbs
- amandī, ad urbem videndam: gerund and gerundive 4 min
- Advanced Latin · Clauses
- eō; "he said that …": indirect statement 4 min
- ferō; the dative with compounds; indirect questions 4 min
- Advanced Latin · Review
- The cases and the moods: a review 4 min
Try first
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Pairs with D'Ooge, Latin for Beginners (Ginn, 1909), Lesson LXII ("The Subjunctive of Purpose"), §§ 348–352
What it is
English often shows purpose with an infinitive: he sends men to find the bridge. Latin prose never does. It normally uses a clause with the subjunctive (short phrases can also use ad + gerundive or causā, in a later lesson):
| Word | When it is used, with an example |
|---|---|
| ut | something is wanted: ut domum revertantur, so that they may return home |
| nē | something is not wanted: nē vulnerentur, so that they may not be wounded |
| quī, quae, quod | purpose linked to a noun: hominēs quī pontem reperiant, men to find the bridge |
| quō | the clause has a comparative: quō facilius oppidum capiant, so that they may take the town more easily |
- Caesar hominēs mittit quī pontem reperiant. → Caesar sends men to find the bridge.
- Fugiunt nē vulnerentur. → They flee so that they may not be wounded.
Quick check
Tap an answer to check it.
"They come to see the city."
- Latin prose never uses the infinitive for purpose
Show answer
Veniunt ut urbem videant.. Purpose: ut + subjunctive.
Why it matters
Every account of a campaign is full of purpose: troops are sent to do something, bridges are built so that … And it is the classic trap: the English infinitive tempts you, but Latin needs ut and the subjunctive.
Worked example
- Lēgātus venit ut mīlitēs hortētur. → The lieutenant comes to encourage the soldiers.
- Mīlitēs fugiunt nē capiantur. → The soldiers flee so as not to be captured.
- Rēx nūntium mittit quī cīvēs moneat. → The king sends a messenger to warn the citizens.
Common mistake
Using ut nōn for a negative purpose: wrong: ut nōn capiantur. A negative purpose takes nē: nē capiantur, so that they may not be captured.
Key terms
- ut (+ subjunctive)
- in order that, so that
- nē (+ subjunctive)
- so that … not, lest
- quī (purpose)
- a relative clause of purpose: men to find
- quō (+ comparative)
- so that … the more
- purpose clause
- says why the main action is done
Practise the key terms
Tap a card to turn it over. 5 cards.
| Front | Back |
|---|---|
| ut (+ subjunctive) | in order that, so that |
| nē (+ subjunctive) | so that … not, lest |
| quī (purpose) | a relative clause of purpose: men to find |
| quō (+ comparative) | so that … the more |
| purpose clause | says why the main action is done |
Practice
Quick quiz
Tap an answer to check it.
"He sends a messenger to warn the king."
- No infinitive of purpose in Latin prose
Show answer
Nūntium mittit quī rēgem moneat.. Relative clause of purpose with the subjunctive.
"They flee so that they may not be seen."
- Negative purpose uses nē
Show answer
Fugiunt nē videantur.. Negative purpose: nē.
In Veniunt ut audiant, audiant is …
- The future would be audient
Show answer
present subjunctive. Purpose clauses take the subjunctive.
Sort it
Which word introduces the purpose clause?
so that they may come home
Something wanted.Show answer
ut. Something wanted.
so that they may not be wounded
Something not wanted.Show answer
nē. Something not wanted.
men to find the bridge
Purpose tied to the noun men.Show answer
quī. Purpose tied to the noun men.
in order to encourage the soldiers
Something wanted.Show answer
ut. Something wanted.
Practise speaking
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You are a patient Latin tutor. Use the classical pronunciation only, never the Church one: c is always k, g is always hard, v sounds like w, ae like the ai in aisle, and long vowels are held longer. Speak slowly. Use only these Latin words: ut, nē, quī, venit, veniunt, mittit, fugiunt, hortētur, moneat, videant, capiantur, lēgātus, nūntius, nūntium, mīlitēs, rēx, rēgem, urbem. Say English sentences like 'the lieutenant comes to encourage the soldiers', 'they flee so as not to be captured' or 'the king sends a messenger to warn the city', and I will say them in Latin with ut, nē or quī and the subjunctive. Do 8 sentences. After each answer, tell me what kind of mistake I made, if any, and let me try again, then tell me one thing to improve. Keep every reply under 2 sentences. If I need a name or a town, I will make one up. Speak English except for the Latin itself.
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Good to know. AI feedback on pronunciation is hit and miss, so check yourself against native recordings. This course teaches the classical pronunciation (see lesson 1); AI voices may mix it with the Church (Italian-style) one, so ask for classical and check against lesson 1. Don't share personal details: use a made-up name and town.
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In short
- Purpose: ut / nē / quī / quō + subjunctive.
- nē for negative purpose, never ut nōn.
- quō when the clause has a comparative.
- Latin prose never shows purpose with the infinitive.
Mastery check
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Check yourself
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Which word introduces a negative purpose clause?
Show answer
nē.
Translate Mīlitēs mittit quī oppidum oppugnent.
Show answer
He sends soldiers to attack the town.
Why is Venit vidēre wrong for "he comes to see"?
Show answer
Latin prose doesn't use the infinitive for purpose: venit ut videat.
Further reading
- D'Ooge, Latin for Beginners, Lesson LXII, §§ 348–352. Public domain; Project Gutenberg.
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