Essential Latin Grammar
Clauses
1. Introduction to clauses.
A clause is a kind of sentence. That is, like all sentences, a clause has a subject and a
verb, and it usually has other components as well, such as a direct object, an indirect
object, and a prepositional phrase. Every clause is a sentence, but not every sentence is a
clause. What makes a clause unique is that it never stands on its own, but is always part
of some larger whole. This larger whole is either one of two things: a compound
sentence or a complex sentence.
1.1 Compound sentences. A compound sentence consists of two or more clauses
connected by a coordinating conjunction (typically, but not limited to, et, etiam, atque, -
que, neque, nec, aut, vel, -ve, and sed).
Example:
itaque rem suscipit et a Sequanis impetrat.
And so he takes up the matter and obtains a favor from the Sequanians.
(Caesar, DBG 1.9.10)
Discussion. Both rem suscepit and a Sequanis impetrat are individual clauses connected by et.
Each clause is on its own terms a sentence, and each can be expressed on its own as a sentence.
rem suscepit. a Sequanis impetrat. The moment the conjunction et enters the picture, however,
each sentence is no longer a sentence, but a clause.
1.2 Complex sentences. A complex sentence consists of two or more clauses
connected by a subordinating conjunction (typically, but not limited to, quod, ubi, cum,
ut, ne, si, and nisi). Unlike compound sentences, the clauses in a complex sentence are
arranged in a hierarchy. At the top of the hierarchy is the main clause, which indicates
the primary action of the sentence; one level below is the subordinate clause, which
gives more information about the main clause.
Example:
eis persuasit, quod undique loci natura Helvetii continentur.
He (Orgetorix) persuaded them, because the Helvetians are constrained on all sides by the nature
of their location.
(Caesar, DBG 1.2.6-7)
Discussion. Both eis persuasit and undique…continentur are individual clauses connected by
quod. Each clause is on its own terms a sentence, and each can be expressed on its own as a
sentence. eis persuasit. undique loci natura Helvetii continentur. The second clause, however,
explains the first. That is, it indicates why Orgetorix was able to persuade his people: their
geographical situation was too limiting. eis persuasit is therefore the main clause, while
quod…continentur is the subordinate clause.