Causal Clauses

Causal adverbial clauses tell why the action of the verb in the governing clause takes place. Here are some examples (with the causal clause underlined):

WITH CUM - cum + the subjunctive can indicate cause (although more rarely than circumstance) (click here for other types of cum clauses).

cum fessi simus, in horto quiescimus, "since we are tired, we are resting in the garden". The cum clause explains the reason why we were resting in the garden.

cum fessi essemus, domum non festinavimus, "since we were tired, we did not hurry home".

WITH QUOD - Horatia gaudet, quod fabula ei placet, "Horatia is happy because the story pleases her". The quod clause explains why, i.e. the cause of why Horatia is happy.

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