Result Clauses

32.14 A result clause indicates the consquences or results of the action of the main clause. For example:

• He spoke so well that he won over the crowd.

In Greek, ὥστε can have a few meanings, but one of the most commons is so (that) when it is used as a conjunction to introduce RESULT CLAUSES (S 2249-2259, G 639, 566).

• If the result clause indicates an ACTUAL result:
  • The ὥστε clause takes a FINITE verb.
  • The negative of this clause is οὐ.
• If the result clause indicates an INTENDED/ EXPECTED/PROBABLE/NATURAL result:
  • The ὥστε clause takes an INFINITIVE PHRASE. The infinitive tense indicates ASPECT.
  • The negative of this clause is μή.
  • The subject of the infinitive phrase is usually the same as that of the main clause, and so is usually left out of the ὥστε clause. If the subject is included for emphasis, it is in the nominative case.

32.15 Note the following examples:

• ἔχω πλοῖον ὥστε ἔφυγον τὰς ἐκείνων τριήρεις.
  • I have a boat (πλοῖον), so I fled their triremes.
• ἔχω πλοῖον ὥστε ἀεὶ φεύγειν τὰς ἐκείνων τριήρεις.
  • I have a boat, so I am always fleeing their triremes.
• οἱ στρατιῶται εἰσὶ οὕτω ἀμείνονες ὥστε εὖ μάχονται.
  • The soldiers are so brave that they are fighting well.
• οἱ στρατιῶται εἰσὶ οὕτω ἀμείνονες ὥστε ἀεὶ εὖ μάχεσθαι.
  • The soldiers are so brave that they always fight well.