B. SUBORDINATION - EXPLICIT CLAUSE (with a finite verb)

are introduced by

- Conjunctions

- Relative Pronouns

- Relative Adverbs

e.g. ibi, inde, hinc, eo, huc, istuc, illluc, tunc, tam, toties, tot, tantum, ut

- Interrogative Pronouns

- Interrogative Adverbs

e.g. cur? quare? ubi? quo? unde? qua? quando? quoties? quamdiu?

The Sequence of Tenses


When subjunctive is used, the subordinate clause follows the rule of the Sequence of Tenses

1) After a main clause in a Principal Tense which include:

Present , Future , Future Perfect

the dependent clause :

- may express a contemporaneous action by the subjunctive present

Nescio quid Marcus agat. (nunc)

- may express a preceding action by the subjunctive perfect

Nescio quid Marcus egerit. (heri)

- may express a subsequent action by using the subjunctive present or -urus sim ecc.

Nescio quid Marcus cras agat. (cras)

Nescio quid Marcus acturus sit. (cras)


2) After a main clause ina Historical Tense which include:

      Imperfect, Perfect, Pluperfect

the dependent clause may express:

- A contemporaneous action by the subjunctive imperfect

Nesciebam quid Marcus ageret. (tunc)

- A preceding action by the subjunctive pluperfect

Nesciebam quid Marcus egisset. (antea)

- A subsequent action by using the -urus essem, ecc.

Nesciebam quid Marcus acturus esset. (postea)
Attraction of Mood : When the main clause has the subjunctive or the infinitive, an expected indicative in the subordinate clause may be changed to subjunctive.

Ita fit ut quod bonum sit, id etiam honestum sit.


Source: Milena Minkova "Introduction to Latin Prose Composition",
Wimbledon Publishing Company, London:2001.