Subordinate Clauses I: Cum Clauses

Subordinate Clause

A clause that cannot stand alone and depends on a main clause.

Simple Sentence

Has one subject and one predicate (e.g., "I cooked dinner").

Compound Sentence

Has more than one subject and predicate joined by a coordinating conjunction (e.g., "I cooked dinner, but you just sat there").

Complex Sentence

Has one or more independent clauses combined with one or more dependent clauses (e.g., "When I was cooking dinner, you were just sitting there").

Independent Clause

Contains a subject and a verb; can stand alone as a complete sentence.

Dependent Clause

Contains a subject and a verb but cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.

Subordinating Conjunction

A conjunction that introduces a subordinate clause (e.g., "when," "because").

Postquam

Latin for "after"; introduces a temporal clause.

Ubi

Latin for "when"; introduces a temporal clause.

Ut (Temporal)

Latin for "when"; introduces a temporal clause.

Quoniam

Latin for "since, because"; introduces a causal clause.

Ut (Comparative)

Latin for "as"; introduces a comparative clause.

Ut (Consecutive)

Latin for "so that"; introduces a result clause.

Ut (Final)

Latin for "in order that"; introduces a purpose clause.

Etsī

Latin for "although"; introduces a concessive clause.

Quamquam

Latin for "although"; introduces a concessive clause.

Sī

Latin for "if"; introduces a conditional clause.

Nisi

Latin for "unless"; introduces a conditional clause.

Cum Clause

A subordinate clause introduced by "cum" that may indicate time, cause, or concession.

Cum (Temporal)

Indicates when something happened; verb is in the indicative.

Cum (Circumstantial)

Describes circumstances surrounding an action; verb is in the subjunctive.

Cum (Causal)

Describes the reason for an action; verb is in the subjunctive, translated as "since" or "because."

Cum (Concessive)

Describes an action that contrasts with the main clause; verb is in the subjunctive, translated as "although."

Sequence of Tenses Rule

Determines the tense of the verb in a subordinate clause depending on the tense of the main verb.

Primary Sequence

Used when the main verb is in present or future tense; the subordinate verb is in the present or perfect tense.

Secondary Sequence

Used when the main verb is in past tense (imperfect, perfect, pluperfect); the subordinate verb is in the imperfect or pluperfect tense.

Example: cum + Perfect Indicative

"Whenever X happens" (e.g., "cum signum data est" = "whenever the signal is given").

Example: cum + Pluperfect Indicative

"Whenever X was happening" (e.g., "cum vīderam" = "whenever I had seen").

Example: cum + Subjunctive (Circumstantial)

"Under the circumstances when X happened" (e.g., "cum loquerētur" = "when he was speaking").

Example: cum + Subjunctive (Causal)

"Since/because X happened" (e.g., "cum gladiō caream" = "since I am lacking a sword").

Example: cum + Subjunctive (Concessive)

"Although X happened" (e.g., "cum in oppidō nātus esset" = "although he had been born in a small town").