Clauses

'Cum' Clauses

Cum + Indicative Mood Verb

When 'cum' introduces an indicative verb it sets the time WHEn an action occurs, occurred or will occur. The emphasis is on TIME and/or DATE.
WHEN Vesuvius erupted, the region around Pompeii was buried in lava and ash.
This is a simple statement of fact as with most verbs in the indicative mood. It 'indicates' a situation.

Cum + Subjunctive Mood Verb

There are two ways one can interpret a clause in which cum appears to introduce a subjunctive mood verb

Circumstantial
- describes the circumstance surrounding the main verb (introductory verb)
  When I forget my homework, I get in trouble.
  The act of forgetting homework is the circumstance that causes or may cause trouble.

Causal
- states the reason for the action of the main clause.
 Since I forgot my homework, I got in trouble.
  This is not a theory but a reality. Since or because are better introductory words for this type of clause.