Summary sheet of Latin subordinating conjunctions , showing when they take the subjunctive and when the indicative , with examples and notes especially useful for Psalm study and Biblical Latin.
I. Temporal Clauses (time: when, while, until, before, after) Conjunction Meaning Mood Notes Example dum while, as long as Indicative simultaneous action Dum loquitur, venit hostis. — While he is speaking, the enemy comes.dum until Subjunctive action awaited or anticipated Manebat dum rediret. — He waited until he should return.donec until Indicative or Subjunctive indicative = factual (“until in fact”); subjunctive = expected (“until should”) Manebit donec veniat. — He will remain until he comes.quoad as long as, until Indicative duration (“as long as”) Quoad vixit, laetus fuit. — As long as he lived, he was happy.postquam after Indicative always factual; perfect or pluperfect tense Postquam venit, discessi. — After he came, I departed.ubi / ut / simul ac / cum primum when, as soon as Indicative denote time of actual event Ubi venit, gaudebamus. — When he came, we rejoiced.antequam / priusquam before Subjunctive action prevented or anticipated Abiit antequam veniret. — He went away before he could come.
II. Causal Clauses (reason or cause) Conjunction Meaning Mood Notes Example quod / quia / quoniam because, since Indicative factual cause Gaudeo quod venisti. — I rejoice because you came.(same) because (reported reason or thought) Subjunctive cause stated indirectly or doubted Doleo quod offenderes. — I am sorry that you should be offended.
III. Conditional Clauses Conjunction Meaning Mood Notes Example sī if Indicative or Subjunctive indicative = real, subjunctive = hypothetical Si venis, gaudeo. — If you come, I rejoice. / Si venires, gauderem. — If you were coming, I would rejoice.nisi unless, if not same — Non veniet nisi vocetur. — He will not come unless he is called.modo / dummodo / dum provided that Subjunctive expresses condition or permission Taceat dum discat. — Let him be silent, provided he learn.
IV. Purpose Clauses (aim or intention) Conjunction Meaning Mood Example ut that, in order that Subjunctive Orat ut veniat. — He prays that he may come.ne that not, lest Subjunctive Fugit ne capiatur. — He flees lest he be taken.quo that, in order that (with comparative) Subjunctive Currit celerius quo prius veniat. — He runs faster that he may arrive sooner.
V. Result Clauses (consequence) Conjunction Meaning Mood Example ut that, so that Subjunctive Tam fessus erat ut dormiret. — He was so tired that he slept.ut non that not (negative result) Subjunctive Tantus erat clamor ut non audiremus. — The noise was so great that we could not hear.
VI. Concessive Clauses (though, although) Conjunction Meaning Mood Example quamquam although Indicative factual concession etsi / tametsi although Indicative factual condition licet although, even if Subjunctive always subjunctive cum (concessive)although, when Subjunctive Cum sit sapiens, errat. — Although he is wise, he errs.
VII. Cum-Clauses (very common in Psalms and narrative Latin) Use Meaning Mood Example Temporal (point in time) when, after Indicative Cum venit, tacui. — When he came, I was silent.Circumstantial when, since, because Subjunctive Cum venisset, omnes tacuerunt. — When he had come, all were silent.Concessive although Subjunctive Cum sciat, dissimulat. — Although he knows, he pretends ignorance.
VIII. Comparative Clauses Conjunction Meaning Mood Example quam ut than that Subjunctive Fortior est quam ut vincatur. — He is too strong to be conquered.tamquam si / velut si / quasi as if Subjunctive Loquitur quasi sciat. — He speaks as if he knew.
IX. Indirect Clauses (reported thought or speech) Type Conjunction / Construction Mood Example Indirect command ut / ne Subjunctive Imperavit ut manerent. — He ordered them to stay.Indirect question quis, quid, ubi, quando, cur, etc. Subjunctive Rogavit quid faceret. — He asked what he was doing.Indirect statement accusative + infinitive Infinitive Dicit eum venire. — He says that he is coming.
X. Purposeful or Conditional “dum” and “donec” (summary) Conjunction Indicative Subjunctive Example dum while (time) until, provided that Dum loquitur (while he speaks) / Manebat dum rediret (until he should return)donec until (factual) until (expected) Manet donec venit / veniret dummodo — provided that Veniat dummodo taceat. — Let him come, provided he be silent.
✨ In summary
Indicative Subjunctive Factual, actual, completed Desired, intended, feared, hypothetical, anticipated “When he came” (cum venit ) “Until he should come” (donec veniret ) “Because it rained” (quoniam pluit ) “So that it might rain” (ut pluat ) “Although he came” (quamquam venit ) “Although he should come” (cum veniret )