RLW: Lesson - Grammar - Cum Clauses

Cum Clauses

We arrive, then, at a new type of subjunctive dependent clause in Latin: the cum clause. 

At this point, you are likely familiar with the word cum: this is the same form as the preposition from Latin I, which meant with. However, this form of cum acts as a subordinating conjunction. In practice, it is not difficult to distinguish the two uses:

  • Preposition cum: will almost always be followed directly by a word in the ablative case, or it will be attached to a pronoun:
    • cum amicis meis = with my friends
    • mecum = with me
  • Conjunction cum: will almost always be at the start of a clause, and will rarely be followed by a word in the ablative case:
    • Cum haec ita sint = Since these things are so...
      • Note: this is more commonly written with a relative pronoun instead of haec: Quae cum ita sint...

Basic Formation

Cum clauses can be either indicative or subjunctive, but are most often subjunctive. Cum has four basic translations:

  • While
  • When
  • Because
  • Although

These four translations are named by some textbooks as follows: temporal, circumstantial, causal and concessive. So, if you find a reference to a "circumstantial cum clause" - that just means that it should be translated using "when". However, this course will simply refer to cum clauses as a general usage. Determining what translation to use will be based on context and preference, with one notable exception, that we will see later.

Indicative vs. Subjunctive

The indicative use of the cum clause is restricted to temporal expressions, so will be translated when or while.

  • Cum illa carmina audio, semper rideo. = When I hear those songs, I always smile.
  • Cum ad portam pervenemus, amicos salutabimus. = When we reach the gate, we will greet our friends.
    • Note the use of the future tense in Latin here - English is not as precise as Latin in this sense, but "we" have not yet reached the gate, so Latin uses the future tense. 

The subjunctive use of the cum clause is more varied in its applications. There are minor differences between circumstantial, causal and concessive uses, but all take the subjunctive mood.

  • Circumstantial Uses: imperfect or pluperfect tense only; usually translated "when"
    • Cum ad portam pervenissemus, amicos salutavimus. = When we had reached the gate, we greeted our friends.
      • Think of it this way: When the circumstances were that we had reached the gate
  • Causal Uses: any tense of the subjunctive can be used; usually translated "because"
    • Cum sis hostis, oppidum oppugnavi. = Because you are my enemy, I attacked your town.
  • Concessive Uses: watch out for tamen in the independent clause, or a situation where the two clauses are opposed; usually translated "although"
    • Cum sis hostis, tamen te salutabo. = Although you are my enemy, still I will greet you.

Review and Examples

Generally, when you see cum at the start of a clause, just remember to translate it as: while, when, because or although. You will not be required in this course to name the type of cum clause, since there is so much overlap between the uses, but it is important to use your skills as a translator to try to get the right sense. Let's look at some examples:

Cum Clause Examples - from Pliny

Source

 Latin Discussion/Explanation English Translation

Pliny, Letter 19 - to Hispulla. Pliny starts off with a cum clause

Cum sis pietatis exemplum...non dubito maximo gaudio fore

We see right away that this is a subjunctive use (sis), and since it is present, it must be either "because" or "although"

Which sense fits? The context will pretty clearly show us that the causal makes more sense here

Because you are an example of piety...I do not doubt that you will be filled with the greatest joy

Pliny, Letter 19 - to Hispulla. Another cum clause

 ...quanto, cum egi, gaudio adficitur! egi is indicative, so this is purely temporal: ...and how, when I am done, she is filled with joy!

Book 10, Letter 33 - to Trajan. Again, Pliny starts with a cum clause

Cum diversam partem provinciae circumirem, Nicomediae vastissimum incendium multas privatorum domos et duo publica opera...absumpsit.

This is the imperfect subjunctive, so any of the subjunctive uses is possible.

To determine which is appropriate, consider the rest of the sentence for context.

Which translation would you choose for this line?

 [When/Because/Although] I was traveling around a different part of the province, a most vast fire consumed many homes of private citizens and two public buildings in Nicomdedia.