Final clause

A final clause in linguistics is a dependent adverbial clause expressing purpose. This is the reason it is not seldom also referred to as a purposive clause or a clause of purpose.

In English, final clauses are relatively rare. A final clause is a reply to a question containing the question word wherefore or what for (sometimes also why). The prescription for their construction is rather complicated:

A final clause is introduced by the following linking words (conjunctions):

• that (sometimes preceded by in order or so, or, in literary language, to the end)
• lest (equivalent to that not, sometimes with the meaning for fear that, both of these naturally belonging to the that category)

Depending on the conjunction used, two forms of final clause exist:

• if that is used, the final clause takes may in the present and future, and might in the past, sometimes also shall because of the Latin subjunctive
  • Wherefore do you play the violin? - I play the violin that I may enjoy myself.
  • What did you hit me for? - I hit you so that they might not become suspicious of us.
  • Why did you go to the city? - I went to the city in order that I might buy some new clothes in the shopping centre.
  • I grabbed the rope that I might not fall.
• if lest is used, the final clause takes should or may (the latter being obsolescent, and used only for the present and the future), or the subjunctive (mostly in American English)
  • I grabbed the rope lest I should fall.
  • I play the violin lest I should (or may) be bored.
  • He does what he is told lest he be sacked. (subjunctive)

Final clauses which refer to the same subject as the main clause of the sentence can be expressed with to, in order to, so as to, for fear of, et cetera. Thus:

• She reads that she may be wise. = She reads to be wise.
• You cried for fear that you might not have impressed the examiners. = You cried for fear of not having impressed the examiners.
• I paint in order that I may be happy. = I paint in order to be happy.

In German, Finalsätze are much more common, and are a reply to Wozu?. They are introduced with damit or um ... zu (if the subject is the same as in the main clause), with this latter considered higher (more articulate) German. Examples:

• Ich gehe in die Stadt, um Sehenswürdigkeiten zu sehen. (I am going to the city that I may see (its) sights.)
• Sie kaufen ein neues Auto, damit sie schneller fahren können. (They are buying a new car so that they may drive faster.)

In Slovene, namerni odvisniki are reasonably common. They are the reply to Čemu?. Examples:

• ?li so v kino, da bi videli novi film. (They went to the cinema so as to see the new film.)
• Po?iljam ti kaseto, zato da mi lahko pove? svoje mnenje o njej. (I am sending you a/the cassette, so that you may tell me your opinion about it.)