Ch 9 · Lesson 21Latin · Chapter 9 · Lesson 21 · Grammar primer
cum clauses: when, since, although
with a noun is with; with a clause it is a conjunction. The indicative only dates, the subjunctive means when, since or although, and means although.
The short version
, .
Why?Hide
When does nothing but fix the time, it takes the indicative: , , when he/she comes, we shall see. , as soon as, and meaning whenever do the same. In a story about the past, nearly always takes the subjunctive instead, because the clause describes the circumstances.
, .
Why?Hide
with the subjunctive means when, since or although, and nothing in the clause itself says which. Read the main clause: (nevertheless) means although; a reason means since; otherwise read when. , : although he/she was brave, he/she still fled.
is two words. With a noun in the ablative it is the preposition with. With a clause it is a conjunction: the indicative only dates the action, while the subjunctive explains it and means when, since or although.
| cum with | Latin | English |
|---|---|---|
| ablative | . | He/she came with the soldiers. |
| indicative | , . | When he/she comes, we shall see. |
| subjunctive | , . | When he/she had said this, he/she left. |
| subjunctive | , . | Since the leader was away, the soldiers did nothing. |
| subj. + | , . | Although he/she was brave, he/she still fled. |
Preposition or conjunction?
Look at what follows . A noun in the ablative makes it the preposition; a clause with its own verb makes it the conjunction.
| cum is | Latin | English |
|---|---|---|
| preposition | . | He/she came with his/her father. |
| conjunction | , . | When father comes, I am glad. |
With the personal pronouns the preposition goes on the end: , with me; , with you; , with us.
cum with the indicative: time only
When does nothing but fix the time, it takes the indicative. Three places you meet it:
| Use | Latin | English |
|---|---|---|
| future | , . | When he/she comes, we shall see. |
| at once | , . | As soon as he/she saw the enemy, he/she fled. |
| whenever | , . | Whenever the leader comes, the soldiers rejoice. |
is a future where English has a present (when he comes). Latin marks the time in the clause as well as the main verb, exactly as after .
cum with the subjunctive: three meanings
Otherwise, and above all in a story about the past, takes the subjunctive. The clause no longer just dates the action; it describes the circumstances, and those can be a time, a reason or an obstacle.
| Meaning | Latin | English |
|---|---|---|
| when | , . | When we were in the city, we saw many things. |
| since | , . | Since the leader was away, the soldiers did nothing. |
| although | , . | Although he/she had a lot, he/she gave nothing. |
Nothing in the clause itself marks which meaning is meant, so read the main clause:
(nevertheless) in the main clause: read although.- The clause explains why the main clause happened: read since.
- Otherwise read when, the commonest sense in a story.
Where when and since both make sense (when the leader was away, or since he was), the Latin leaves it open, and so may your English.
Going further: When: imperfect or pluperfect and the rest of the guide, when you want them. This lesson does not need them.
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