PURPOSE CLAUSES

A purpose clause is a clause that explains why the action of the main verb took place.

The clause begins with ‘ut’ meaning ‘in order to’, ‘so that’ or ‘in order that’ and is then followed by a subjunctive.

E.g. ad agros milites venerunt ut urbem peterent = The soldiers came to the fields in order to attack the city.

• ‘ut’ = in order to

• peterent = imperfect subjunctive

The negative of ‘ut’ is ‘ne’ meaning ‘in order not’ to do something!