Temporal, Causal & Concessive Clauses
Latin uses several conjunctions to express time, cause, and concession. The conjunction cum is especially versatile — its meaning depends on the mood of its verb.
Temporal Clauses
Temporal clauses say when something happened:
- cum + indicative — when / whenever
- dum + indicative (present) — while
- postquam + perfect indicative — after
- ubi + perfect indicative — when
Causal Clauses
Causal clauses say why something happened:
- cum + subjunctive (imperfect or pluperfect) — since / because (writer's explanation)
- quod / quia + indicative — because (stating a fact)
The subjunctive tense with cum follows sequence of tenses.
Concessive Clauses
Concessive clauses say although something is the case:
- quamquam + indicative — although (accepted fact)
- cum + subjunctive (imperfect or pluperfect) — although (writer's viewpoint); tamen often appears in the main clause
Worked Examples
- cum in forō stāret, clāmōrem audīvit. — When he was standing in the forum, he heard a shout. (cum + imperfect indicative = temporal: when)
- cum servus fessus esset, laborāre coāctus est. — Although/Since the slave was tired, he was forced to work. (cum + imperfect subjunctive = causal or concessive; context determines which)
- quamquam perīculum erat, mīlitēs nōn fūgērunt. — Although there was danger, the soldiers did not flee. (quamquam + indicative = concessive)
- dum cēnat, nuntius advēnit. — While he was dining, a messenger arrived. (dum + present indicative = temporal: while)
Temporal, Causal, and Concessive Clauses
| Signal | Type | Mood | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| cum + indicative | Temporal | Indicative | when / whenever |
| cum + subjunctive (imperfect/pluperfect) | Causal or Concessive | Subjunctive | since/because OR although |
| quamquam | Concessive | Indicative | although |
| dum | Temporal | Indicative (present) | while |
| quod / quia | Causal | Indicative | because |
Exam tip: When you see cum + subjunctive, look for tamen in the main clause — tamen signals concession (although). Without tamen, cum + subjunctive is more likely causal (since). Context and logic are your final arbiter.
See Also
- Conditionals — another set of clauses using indicative and subjunctive
- Ablative Absolute — alternative way to express time or circumstance
- Sequence of Tenses — governs subjunctive tense choice in cum clauses