---
title: "Result Clause — AP Latin Definition & Exam Guide"
description: "A result clause is an ut + subjunctive clause showing the outcome of an action, often signaled by tam, tantus, or adeo. Key grammar for translating Pliny in AP Latin."
canonical: "https://fiveable.me/ap-latin/key-terms/result-clause"
type: "key-term"
subject: "AP Latin"
---

# Result Clause — AP Latin Definition & Exam Guide

## Definition

In AP Latin, a result clause is a subordinate clause introduced by ut with a subjunctive verb that shows the result of an action, often flagged by a degree word in the main clause like tam, tantus, adeo, ita, sic, tot, or talis ("so great... that...").

## What It Is

A result clause tells you what happened *as a result* of something in the main clause. In Latin, it's introduced by **ut** and uses a [verb](/ap-latin/unit-4 "fv-autolink") in the **[subjunctive mood](/ap-latin/key-terms/subjunctive-mood "fv-autolink")**. You translate it with "that": "the cloud was so large *that* everyone noticed it."

The giveaway is usually a degree word sitting in the main clause. Words like **adeo, ita, sic, tam, tantus, tot,** and **talis** all mean some flavor of "so" or "so much," and they set up the *ut* clause that follows. Think of it as a setup-and-payoff structure. The main clause says "it was SO big..." and the result clause delivers the payoff: "...THAT this happened." Result clauses can also follow verbs like **accidit** (it happens), **fit** (it comes about), and **efficit** (it brings about). A negative result uses **ut non**, which is one of the cleanest ways to tell it apart from a [purpose clause](/ap-latin/key-terms/purpose-clause "fv-autolink").

## Why It Matters

Result clauses live in **[Unit 2](/ap-latin/unit-2 "fv-autolink") (Pliny's Letters: Eruption of Mt. Vesuvius)**, and the CED calls them out directly. Learning objective **[AP Latin](/ap-latin "fv-autolink") 2.1.A** asks you to master literal translation of Pliny 6.16, "especially ablative absolutes and purpose/result clauses," and **AP Latin 2.1.I** requires you to describe how verbs function in context, including recognizing that *ut* + subjunctive clauses showing results are called result clauses.

This matters because Pliny's eruption narrative is built on cause and effect. The cloud is so strange that [Pliny the Elder](/ap-latin/key-terms/pliny-the-elder "fv-autolink") investigates; the danger is so great that people flee. If you misread an *ut* clause, you don't just lose a translation point, you can flip the logic of the whole sentence. The literal translation FRQ grades you segment by segment, and an *ut* clause is almost always its own graded segment.

## Connections

### [Purpose Clause (Unit 2)](/ap-latin/key-terms/purpose-clause)

Purpose clauses are the sibling construction. Both use ut + subjunctive, but purpose answers "why was it done?" (translated "in order to") while result answers "what happened because of it?" (translated "that"). The negative is the tiebreaker, since purpose uses ne and result uses ut non.

### [Ablative Absolute (Unit 2)](/ap-latin/key-terms/ablative-absolute)

The CED pairs these two in the same learning objective (2.1.A) because Pliny stacks them constantly. An [ablative absolute](/ap-latin/key-terms/ablative-absolute "fv-autolink") sets the scene, then a result clause delivers the consequence, so one Latin sentence can carry a whole chain of events.

### Ut + Indicative (Unit 2)

Not every ut starts a result clause. When ut introduces an indicative verb, it means "like," "as," or "when" instead. Always check the mood of the verb before you commit to a translation. Subjunctive means purpose or result; [indicative](/ap-latin/unit-6 "fv-autolink") means comparison or time.

### [Anaphora (Unit 2)](/ap-latin/key-terms/anaphora)

Result clauses are grammar, anaphora is style, but in Pliny 6.16 they work together. Repetition builds the tension (2.1.E) and result clauses cash it in, showing how extreme the eruption's effects were.

## On the AP Exam

Result clauses show up two ways. On multiple choice, expect grammar-identification stems like "what does this verb indicate?" or "what syntactic function does this clause serve?" Practice questions in this style ask you to classify a subjunctive verb (like *prodesset* or *celebretur*) by its construction, and result clause is a standard answer choice alongside purpose clause and indirect command. On the literal translation FRQ, an *ut* clause from Pliny is typically graded as its own segment, so you need to (1) spot the degree word in the main clause, (2) confirm the verb is subjunctive, and (3) translate with "that" plus an indicative-feeling English verb ("so loud that they heard it," not "so loud in order to hear it"). Translating a result clause as purpose, or vice versa, costs you that segment.

## result clause vs Purpose clause

Both are ut + subjunctive, which is exactly why the exam loves testing the difference. A purpose clause expresses intent ("he climbed the tower in order to see") while a result clause expresses outcome ("the smoke was so thick that he could not see"). Two reliable tests: result clauses are usually signaled by a degree word like tam, tantus, ita, or adeo in the main clause, and the negative differs. Purpose goes negative with ne, result with ut non. If you see tam... ut, it's result. If you see ne, it's purpose.

## Key Takeaways

- A result clause is introduced by ut with a subjunctive verb and shows the outcome of the action in the main clause.
- Degree words in the main clause, especially adeo, ita, sic, tam, tantus, tot, and talis, are the standard signal that a result clause is coming.
- Result clauses can also follow verbs like accidit, fit, and efficit without any degree word at all.
- A negative result clause uses ut non, while a negative purpose clause uses ne, which is the fastest way to tell the two apart.
- If ut introduces an indicative verb instead of a subjunctive, it means "like," "as," or "when," not result or purpose.
- On the AP Latin translation FRQ, an ut clause is usually its own graded segment, so translating result as "that" (not "in order to") earns the point.

## FAQs

### What is a result clause in AP Latin?

It's a subordinate clause introduced by ut with a subjunctive verb that expresses the result of an action, translated with "that." The CED covers it under learning objective AP Latin 2.1.I in the Pliny Letter 6.16 material.

### How do you tell a result clause from a purpose clause?

Look for a degree word like tam, tantus, ita, or adeo in the main clause, which signals result. Also check the negative: result clauses use ut non, purpose clauses use ne. Purpose translates as "in order to," result as "so... that."

### Does every ut clause use the subjunctive?

No. When ut introduces an indicative verb, it means "like," "as," or "when" and is just a comparison or time marker. Only ut + subjunctive gives you a result clause or a purpose clause, so check the verb's mood first.

### What words signal a result clause?

Degree adjectives and adverbs in the main clause: adeo, ita, sic, tam, tantus, tot, and talis. Result clauses can also follow the verbs accidit (it happens), fit (it comes about), and efficit (it brings about).

### Are result clauses actually on the AP Latin exam?

Yes. Learning objective AP Latin 2.1.A names purpose/result clauses as required for literal translation of Pliny 6.16, and multiple-choice questions regularly ask you to identify what a subjunctive verb in an ut clause indicates.

## Related Study Guides

- [Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQ)](/ap-latin/ap-latin-exam/ap-latin-mcq/study-guide/ap-latin-mcq)

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