Circumstantial Clauses

Circumstantial adverbial clauses tell the specific circumstances when the action of the verb in the governing clause took place.

WITH CUM - The clause takes the subjunctive mood in the dependent clause. (click here for other types of cum clauses) The imperfect subjunctive expresses action that is still occurring at the time of the governing verb. The pluperfect subjunctive expresses action that is over at the time of the governing verb.

	cum domum revenissent, cenaverunt, "when they had returned home, they dined". The action of returning was over at the time of the dining.
	cum cenarent, amicus quidam casam intravit, "when (while) they were dining, a certain friend entered the house". The action of dining was still going on when the friend entered.

Other Adverbial Clauses

Causal Clauses
Circumstantial Clauses
Comparative Clauses
Concessive Clauses
Conditional Clauses
Place Where Clauses
Purpose Clauses
Result Clauses
Temporal Clauses
Ablative Absolute

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Last Updated March 18, 2003

Questions, comments and corrections should be sent to Brian K. Harvey, Kent State University