quo (So That ... Better)

So That ... Better

Level 6

Quo, a comparative and the subjunctive.

How It Works

Main verb	Purpose with quo
present	Venit quo melius videat. He comes so that he may see better.
present	Magister clare loquitur quo melius pueri audiant. The teacher speaks clearly so that the boys hear better.
past	Lumen accendit quo facilius legeret. He lit a lamp so that he could read more easily.

The comparative can be an adverb (melius, facilius) or an adjective (tutior).

Without a comparative, use ut: venit ut videat (he comes to see).

A comparative next to quo is the cue. Purpose clauses with quo are rarer than clauses with ut.

Venit quo melius videat.
He comes so that he may see better.
Quo goes with the comparative melius. Videat is present subjunctive.
Magister clare loquitur quo melius pueri audiant.
The teacher speaks clearly so that the boys hear better.
Quo, then melius, then the subjunctive audiant.
Lumen accendit quo facilius legeret.
He lit a lamp so that he could read more easily.
The main verb is past, so legeret is imperfect subjunctive.
Sacerdos lente loquitur quo melius omnes intellegant.
The priest speaks slowly so that everyone may understand better.
Quo and melius with the present subjunctive intellegant.

Using quo without a comparative.
Venit quo videat.
Venit ut videat.
Quo normally begins a purpose clause only when a comparative is present. Without one, Venit quo videat would be read as He comes to the place where he can see. Use ut, or add melius.

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

quo (So That ... Better)Level 6So That ... Better

Quo with a comparative says so that ... more, so purpose clauses and the ablative of difference come first.

quo

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