---
title: "Cum Clauses — AP Latin Definition & Translation Guide"
description: "Cum introduces clauses translated \"when,\" \"since,\" or \"although\" in AP Latin. Learn how to spot cum clauses in Vergil and Caesar and translate them on the exam."
canonical: "https://fiveable.me/ap-latin/key-terms/cum"
type: "key-term"
subject: "AP Latin"
unit: "Unit 5"
---

# Cum Clauses — AP Latin Definition & Translation Guide

## Definition

In AP Latin, cum is a word with two jobs: as a conjunction it introduces a subordinate clause translated "when," "since," or "although" (depending on context), and as a preposition with the ablative it means "with." The conjunction use is tested directly in the CED (AP Latin 5.5.F).

## What It Is

*Cum* is one of the highest-frequency words in your [AP Latin](/ap-latin "fv-autolink") syllabus, and the CED calls it out by name. Under learning objective AP Latin 5.5.F, when *cum* introduces a clause, it may be translated "when," "since," or "although," among other acceptable translations. That flexibility is the whole point. A *cum* clause sets up the time or circumstance of the main action, and context decides which English word fits best. *Cum* with an [indicative verb](/ap-latin/unit-2 "fv-autolink") usually just marks time ("when"). *Cum* with a subjunctive verb can be temporal/circumstantial ("when"), causal ("since"), or concessive ("although"), and concessive *cum* often gets a helpful *tamen* ("nevertheless") in the main clause as a signal.

The catch is that *cum* is also a [preposition](/ap-latin/unit-3 "fv-autolink"). *Cum* + an ablative noun simply means "with" (think *cum sociis*, "with his companions"). So every time you hit *cum*, your first move is a quick check. Is there an ablative noun right next to it? Probably the preposition. Is there a verb later in the clause, especially a subjunctive? You're in a *cum* clause, and you need to pick "when," "since," or "although" based on what the sentence is actually saying.

## Why It Matters

*Cum* lives in [Unit 5](/ap-latin/unit-5 "fv-autolink") (Vergil's [Aeneid](/ap-latin/key-terms/aeneid "fv-autolink")) through Topic 5.5, the Camilla passage from Book 11, where the CED's essential knowledge for AP Latin 5.5.F spells out the acceptable translations. It also feeds directly into AP Latin 5.5.G, translating into idiomatic English. Graders score translation FRQs in chunks called segments, and a *cum* clause is almost always its own segment. Translate *cum* + subjunctive as "with," and that segment is gone. Beyond translation, reading *cum* correctly matters for interpretation (5.5.J and 5.5.L). Whether Vergil means "when Camilla did X" or "although Camilla did X" changes the logic of the sentence and the attitude behind it.

## Connections

### [Ablative Absolute (Unit 5)](/ap-latin/key-terms/ablative-absolute)

The CED pairs these for a reason. An [ablative absolute](/ap-latin/key-terms/ablative-absolute "fv-autolink") (noun + participle in the ablative) does the same job as a *cum* clause: it shows the time or circumstance of the main action. In fact, a smooth way to translate many ablative absolutes is to turn them into a *cum* clause in English, "when/since/although the city had been captured."

### Relative Clauses with qui, quae, quod (Unit 5)

Both *cum* and the relative pronoun introduce subordinate clauses, so the same reading skill applies. Find the clause's boundaries, find its [verb](/ap-latin/unit-4 "fv-autolink"), then decide how it hangs off the main sentence. If you can bracket a relative clause, you can bracket a *cum* clause.

### Caesar's Gallic War Prose (Units 1-4)

[Caesar](/ap-latin/key-terms/caesar "fv-autolink") leans on *cum* clauses constantly to structure his narrative. The 2018 short-answer stimulus includes "Plerique, cum aut aere alieno..." right in the passage, so you'll meet *cum* in the prose half of the syllabus just as often as in Vergil.

### Diana and Camilla (Unit 5)

Topic 5.5 is Diana's speech about Camilla in Aeneid 11.532-594, the passage where the CED anchors this *cum* knowledge. Subordinate clauses carry the backstory of how Camilla came under Diana's protection, so parsing them correctly is how you follow the narrative.

## On the AP Exam

*Cum* shows up everywhere translation is tested. The literal-translation FRQ regularly includes *cum* clauses, and released Caesar passages like the 2018 short-answer stimulus ("Plerique, cum aut aere alieno...") put one right in front of you. Scoring is segment-based, so a botched *cum* clause typically costs you that entire segment. Your job is to (1) decide preposition vs. conjunction, (2) choose "when," "since," or "although" based on context (the CED explicitly accepts multiple translations, so a defensible choice earns credit), and (3) render the verb's tense and mood correctly within the clause. Multiple-choice questions on syntax can also ask you to identify what kind of clause *cum* introduces or what an underlined *cum* means in context.

## cum vs cum the preposition (cum + ablative, "with")

Same four letters, totally different grammar. Preposition *cum* takes an ablative noun and means "with" (*cum amicis*, "with friends"). Conjunction *cum* introduces a whole clause with its own verb and means "when," "since," or "although." Quick test: if *cum* sits directly before an ablative noun and there's no clause verb attached, it's the preposition. If a verb (especially a subjunctive) follows somewhere in the clause, it's the conjunction. Translating conjunction *cum* as "with" is one of the most common segment-killers on the translation FRQ.

## Key Takeaways

- When cum introduces a clause, the CED says it can be translated "when," "since," or "although," and context determines which one fits.
- Cum is also a preposition that takes the ablative and means "with," so always check for an ablative noun versus a clause verb before translating.
- Cum + indicative is usually temporal ("when"); cum + subjunctive can be temporal, causal ("since"), or concessive ("although").
- A tamen ("nevertheless") in the main clause is a strong signal that the cum clause is concessive and should be translated "although."
- Cum clauses and ablative absolutes do the same job, showing the time or circumstance of the main action, and English translations of both often start with "when," "since," or "although."
- On the translation FRQ, a cum clause is typically scored as its own segment, so misreading cum costs real points.

## FAQs

### What does cum mean in Latin on the AP exam?

It depends on its job in the sentence. As a conjunction introducing a clause, cum means "when," "since," or "although" (the CED lists all three as acceptable under AP Latin 5.5.F). As a preposition with an ablative noun, it means "with."

### Does cum always mean "when"?

No. "When" is only one option. With a subjunctive verb, cum can also mean "since" (causal) or "although" (concessive). Picking the translation that matches the sentence's logic is exactly what the exam rewards.

### How do I tell cum the conjunction from cum the preposition?

Look at what follows. Cum directly before an ablative noun with no clause attached is the preposition, "with." Cum followed by a clause containing its own verb, especially a subjunctive, is the conjunction, "when/since/although."

### How do I know if a cum clause is "since" or "although"?

Read the relationship between the clauses. If the cum clause gives a reason for the main action, use "since." If it sets up a contrast (often flagged by tamen in the main clause), use "although." If it just marks time, use "when."

### Is cum tested on the AP Latin exam?

Yes, constantly. The CED names it in the essential knowledge for Topic 5.5 (AP Latin 5.5.F), and released exam passages, like the 2018 short-answer Caesar stimulus with "Plerique, cum aut aere alieno...," include cum clauses you have to read correctly to translate or analyze.

## Related Study Guides

- [5.5 Vergil Aeneid Book 11 Lines 532-594 Camilla Study Guide](/ap-latin/unit-5/vergil-aeneid-book-11-lines-532-594-camilla-study-guide/study-guide/594d59e799a8a7bf)

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