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Both ita and sic mean roughly "so" or "in such way". I know they are not identical and I have a relatively good feeling of their respective meanings, but I couldn't quite put my finger on the difference.

Could someone summarize what the main differences and similarities are? What are some example cases where one is appropriate but not the other?

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  1. Both ita and sic are used in comparatives:

    • ita... ut, sicut
    • sic... ut, velut

For example : Ut sementem fecĕris, ita metes. (Cic.)

  1. They are also used with the subjunctive in consecutive (result) clauses:

    • Atticus sic Graece loquebatur, ut Athenis natus videretur. (Nep.)

    • Non sum ita hebes ut istud dicam

The adverbs which anticipate result clauses are not entirely interchangeable. "Sic" is used primarily to qualify verbs: - Id sic dixit ut.. - sic Plinius narrat

ita can qualify verbs, adjectives or other adverbs:

  • Via erat tam ita longa ut..
  • Id ita fecit ut..

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