Latin from scratch #13.28: Syntax of UT

In the twenty-eighth class of the Latin from Scratch course, we’ll study the other quite confusing and complex word: the conjunction ut (and its opposite ne).

I explain everything in the following video (⏳ 16m 24s ⌛):

Summary of the syntax of UT

The word ut has many different functions in Latin, some of them quite frequent, which is why we need to learn how to identify the specific value in a given text.

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Let’s start by summarizing the syntax of ut on a table:

UT as time conjunction

It can be the connector introducing an adverbial subordinate clause of time “when”, only when the subordinate verb is in the indicative mood.

Ut hostes nostros viderunt, fugerunt.

When the enemies saw our men, they fled.

Also with the subordinate verb in the indicative can we have phrases such as ut primum, simul ut or statim ut, which add immediacy. We can translate them as as soon as.

UT as a completive conjunction

The word ut can also introduce a completive subordinate clause (or complement clause), which may have the obligatory function of the subject or the direct object of the superordinate clause. This only happens when the subordinate verb is in the subjunctive mood.

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Most of the times we can translate it as (that):

Optamus ut bene sis.

We wish (that) you are well.

However, when the superordinate verb is related with fear (or the superordinate clause conveys that general idea), ut is translated in a negative way:

Timeo ut veniat.

I fear (that) he will not come.

UT as a final conjunction

Also when the subordinate verb is in the subjunctive mood, we can have an adverbial subordinate clause of goal (final).

Depending on whether the subject of the superordinate and the subordinate clauses is the same or different, we need to translate in different ways.

Same subject:

Dux ad muros venit ut hostes repelleret.

The general came to the walls (in order) to repel the enemies.

Different subject:

Dux exercitum ad muros duxit ut milites hostes repellerent.

The general led the army to the walls {so that the soldiers could / in order for the soldiers to} repel the enemies.

Is UT completive or final?

There’s no scientific way to tell if ut + subjunctive is completive or final. However, most of the times it can be figured out in a quite simple way.

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We should first check if the subordinate clause is completive. If the superordinate clause lacks its subject or direct object, then the ut clause is completive.

But if the superordinate clause already has all its necessary complements and has full sense, then the ut clause is final.

The syntax of NE

The word ne is pretty much the opposite of ut (only when the subordinate verb is in the subjunctive mood). According to this, we will translate it in a negative way most of the times, unless there’s an idea of fear in the superordinate clause, in which case the translation is positive.

The syntax of ut (and ne) is also a hard topic which really needs to be practiced, so let’s go!

Next: Syntax of UT →