Here's why:
* Emphasis: The placement of the verb at the end creates suspense and emphasizes the action.
* Flexibility: This structure allows for flexibility in word order, allowing for different parts of the sentence to be highlighted depending on context.
* Grammatical clarity: It helps to clarify the relationship between the subject, object, and verb, especially in complex sentences with multiple clauses.
Example:
* Latin: *Puer librum legit.*
* English: *The boy reads the book.*
In this example, the verb *legit* (reads) comes at the end of the sentence.
However, there are some exceptions to this rule:
* Questions: The verb often comes first in questions.
* Emphasis: The verb can be placed earlier in the sentence for emphasis or to create a specific effect.
* Poetic license: Latin poets often employ different word orders for stylistic purposes.
Overall, understanding the verb-final structure is crucial for comprehending Latin sentences.