causal.html

Causal Clauses

General Discussion

Generally, cause is not an subjunctive idea in Latin, but rather an indicative one. The notion of cause is contained not in the verb's mood but in the particle that introduces the clause. Where the subjunctive does appear, it is attributable to some other rule of Latin grammar.

Causal clauses are introduced in four ways:

In direct discourse, quia and quod take the Indicative Mood when the clause is asserted on the authority of the writer or speaker, and the Subjunctive when asserted on the authority of someone else.
In indirect discourse, they take the Subjunctive, like all dependent clauses in ind. disc.

2. By quoniam or quando, "since"

In direct discourse, quoniam and quando introduce a clause asserted on the authority of the speaker, and therefore take the Indicative Mood.
In indirect discourse, like quod and quia, they take the Subjunctive, as well.

3. By cum, "as, when, since"

A circumstantial cum with the Subjunctive can be causal.

4. By a relative pronoun

A relative pronoun with the Subjunctive can express cause.