Year 4C · Grade 8: Cum Clauses and Fear
Read cum with the subjunctive as when, since, or although, and learn the backward ne of fearing.
What to notice
- cum clauses
- fear clauses
- the preposition cum
Explanation
Cum has two different jobs. As a preposition it means with and takes the ablative: cum amico, with a friend. As a conjunction with the subjunctive it gives the circumstances: Cum hostes vidisset, fugit means when he had seen the enemy, he fled. Cum fessus esset, mansit means since he was tired, he stayed. Context chooses among when, since, and although.
After a verb of fearing, ne and ut swap their usual feeling. Timeo ne cadat means I fear that he may fall: ne introduces what you are afraid will happen. Timeo ut veniat means I fear that he may not come: ut introduces what you are afraid will not happen. Read the clause from the fear, not from the ordinary purpose rule.
Examples
- Cum hostes vidisset, fugit. — When he had seen the enemy, he fled. Cum plus the pluperfect subjunctive.
- Cum fessus esset, mansit. — Since he was tired, he stayed. Cum can mean since.
- cum amico — with a friend This cum is a preposition.
- Timeo ne cadat. — I fear that he may fall. Ne introduces the thing feared.
- Timeo ut veniat. — I fear that he may not come. After a verb of fearing, ut means that not.
Latin in this lesson
- Cum hostes vidisset, fugit. — when he had seen the enemy
- Cum fessus esset, mansit. — since he was tired, he stayed
- cum amico — the preposition with
- Timeo ne cadat. — I fear that he may fall.
- Timeo ut veniat. — I fear that he may not come.
- Timebat ne urbs caperetur. — a fear clause