Jessica ran from Miranda so quickly that Miranda was soon not able to see her. Miranda was soon not able to see her. That was the result of Jessica running from her so quickly. Life is full of results (and consequences), and Latin is no exception. Today we will take a first look at Result Clauses.
It’s interesting how similar Purpose Clauses and Result Clauses are. Take a close look at these two sentences.
Purpose: Jessica celeriter a Miranda cucurrit ut mox Miranda eam videre non posset.
Jessica ran from Miranda quickly in order that Miranda would soon not be able to see her.
Result: Jessica tam celeriter a Miranda cucurrit ut mox Miranda eam videre non posset.
Jessica ran from Miranda so quickly that Miranda was soon not able to see her.
Indeed, the Purpose and Result Clauses themselves are exactly the same; ut mox Miranda eam videre non posset. It is another earlier word, tam so, in the main clause that tips us off that what follows is a Result.
It is instructive to examine a list of the words that signal to us that a Result Clause is coming. It is not only helpful for learning Latin, but it may also get us thinking about the very concept of a Result. tam so, tantus (=tam magnus) so great, tantopere so greatly, tot so many, totiens so often, ita in such a way, adeo to such an extent, so much. You may have also noted that the Verb in the Result Clause (posset) is in the Subjunctive Mood.
Here is a final example, taken from Pharrs’ edition of Vergil’s Aeneid; tanta vis deorum est ut eis non possimus obstare. So great is the power of the gods that we cannot oppose them. This could be the start of an essay question. Discuss.
Jessica ran from Miranda so quickly that Miranda was soon not able to see her. She therefore followed her footprints.