cum: when, since, although
The three meanings of the conjunction cum, which mood follows, and the ablative of specification.
LatinAdvanced Latin · ClausesAbout 3 min: 1 reading, 2 practiceUpdated
- Translate cum as when, since or although from context
- Use the indicative when cum simply dates the action, otherwise the subjunctive
- Use the ablative to say in what respect
Latin Level 3: constructions: lesson 10 of 14
- Advanced Latin · The subjunctive
- amem, regam, sim: the present subjunctive 4 min
- ut, nē, quī: purpose clauses 3 min
- amārem, essem: the imperfect subjunctive and the sequence of tenses 4 min
- amāverim, amāvissem; indirect commands 3 min
- possim; "I fear that …" 3 min
- Advanced Latin · Participles and irregular verbs
- amāns, amātus, amātūrus, amandus: participles 3 min
- volō, nōlō, mālō; the ablative absolute 4 min
- Advanced Latin · Clauses
- fīō; "so … that": result clauses 4 min
- "The man to lead us": clauses of characteristic 3 min
- cum: when, since, although 3 min
- Advanced Latin · Participles and irregular verbs
- amandī, ad urbem videndam: gerund and gerundive 4 min
- Advanced Latin · Clauses
- eō; "he said that …": indirect statement 4 min
- ferō; the dative with compounds; indirect questions 4 min
- Advanced Latin · Review
- The cases and the moods: a review 4 min
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Pairs with D'Ooge, Latin for Beginners (Ginn, 1909), Lesson LXX ("The Constructions with the Conjunction Cum · The Ablative of Specification"), §§ 395–399
What it is
As a conjunction (introducing a clause), cum has three meanings (when, since, although), and "when" can take either mood:
| Meaning | Mood |
|---|---|
| when (just dating the action) | indicative |
| when (describing the circumstances) | subjunctive |
| since | subjunctive |
| although | subjunctive |
- Caesarem vīdī tum cum in Galliā eram. → I saw Caesar at the time when I was in Gaul. (indicative: dates it)
- Caesar in eōs impetum fēcit cum pācem peterent. → Caesar attacked them when they were asking for peace. (subjunctive: circumstances)
- Hoc erat difficile cum paucī sine vulneribus essent. → This was difficult, since few were without wounds.
- Cum prīmī ōrdinēs fūgissent, tamen reliquī fortiter cōnsistēbant. → Although the front ranks had fled, the rest still stood firm.
The subjunctive cum is much more common. A tamen (yet) in the main clause points to "although".
The ablative of specification says in what respect:
- Homō erat corpore īnfīrmus sed animō validus. → The man was weak in body but strong in spirit.
Quick check
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Cum hostēs vēnissent, mīlitēs fūgērunt. Most likely meaning?
- cum with a verb in a clause is the conjunction, not the preposition
Show answer
When (since) the enemy had come, the soldiers fled.. cum + subjunctive clause: when / since.
Why it matters
Cum clauses are one of the commonest constructions in Latin prose. Learning to read "when", "since" or "although" from context is reading, not decoding.
Worked example
- Cum rēx vēnisset, cīvēs eum laudāvērunt. → When the king had come, the citizens praised him.
- Cum fortēs essent, tamen victī sunt. → Although they were brave, they were nevertheless defeated.
- Gallī Rōmānīs virtūte pārēs erant. → The Gauls were equal to the Romans in courage.
Common mistake
Confusing the conjunction with the preposition. cum + ablative noun = with (cum mīlitibus). cum + a clause with a verb = when / since / although.
Key terms
- cum (conjunction)
- when, since, although
- cum (preposition)
- with (+ ablative)
- tamen
- yet, nevertheless
- ablative of specification
- in what respect: corpore, in body
- virtūs, virtūtis, f.
- courage
Practise the key terms
Tap a card to turn it over. 5 cards.
| Front | Back |
|---|---|
| cum (conjunction) | when, since, although |
| cum (preposition) | with (+ ablative) |
| tamen | yet, nevertheless |
| ablative of specification | in what respect: corpore, in body |
| virtūs, virtūtis, f. | courage |
Practice
Quick quiz
Tap an answer to check it.
Cum fortēs essent, tamen fūgērunt.
- tamen points to "although"
Show answer
Although they were brave, they fled anyway.. tamen in the main clause → concessive cum.
Which cum is the preposition?
- Followed by a clause: conjunction
Show answer
cum rēge. cum + ablative noun = with.
"strong in body"
- In what respect: plain ablative
Show answer
corpore validus. Ablative of specification.
Practise speaking
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You are a patient Latin tutor. Use the classical pronunciation only, never the Church one: c is always k, g is always hard, v sounds like w, ae like the ai in aisle, and long vowels are held longer. Speak slowly. Use only these Latin words: cum, tamen, eum, rēx, rēge, hostēs, mīlitēs, cīvēs, vēnisset, vēnissent, essent, fūgērunt, laudāvērunt, victī sunt, fortēs, virtūte, corpore, animō, validus. Say a Latin sentence with cum, like 'Cum rēx vēnisset, cīvēs eum laudāvērunt', and I will translate it aloud, choosing when, since or although. Then give me English like 'although they were brave, they were defeated' for me to say in Latin. Do 8 rounds. After each answer, tell me what kind of mistake I made, if any, and let me try again, then tell me one thing to improve. Keep every reply under 2 sentences. If I need a name or a town, I will make one up. Speak English except for the Latin itself.
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Good to know. AI feedback on pronunciation is hit and miss, so check yourself against native recordings. This course teaches the classical pronunciation (see lesson 1); AI voices may mix it with the Church (Italian-style) one, so ask for classical and check against lesson 1. Don't share personal details: use a made-up name and town.
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In short
- cum = when (indicative if it only dates; subjunctive if it describes), since, although (subjunctive).
- tamen in the main clause → although.
- cum + ablative noun = with.
- Ablative of specification: in what respect.
Mastery check
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Check yourself
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Which mood follows cum meaning "since"?
Show answer
The subjunctive.
Translate Cum hostēs urbem cēpissent, rēx fūgit.
Show answer
When the enemy had taken the city, the king fled.
What does animō fortis mean?
Show answer
Brave in spirit.
Further reading
- D'Ooge, Latin for Beginners, Lesson LXX, §§ 395–399. Public domain; Project Gutenberg.
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