A Relative That Starts the Sentence

Level 6

A relative at the start of a sentence means and this, or and these.

How It Works

The relative stands in the case its own clause needs. In quibus rebus cognitis it is ablative plural, with an ablative absolute.

Do not translate the pronoun as who or which. Read it as and this, and join the sentence to the one before.

Common stock phrases are quae cum ita sint, quibus rebus cognitis and qua re (therefore).

Quae cum Iulia audivisset, domum rediit.
And when Iulia had heard this, she went home.
Quae points back to what was said. Cum audivisset is a cum clause with the subjunctive.
Quibus rebus cognitis, Caesar castra movit.
When he learned of this, Caesar moved his camp.
Quibus rebus cognitis is an ablative absolute that begins with a connecting relative.
Quae cum ita sint, domum redeamus.
Since this is so, let us go home.
Quae cum ita sint is a stock phrase for since this is so. Redeamus is a hortatory subjunctive.
Quod cum audisset Iesus, secessit inde in navicula, in locum desertum seorsum.
And when Jesus heard this, he went away from there in a boat to a deserted place apart.
Matthew 14:13. Quod points back to the news in the earlier verse.

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

A Relative That Starts the SentenceLevel 6

A relative can start a new sentence and a cum clause often follows it, so the relative in other cases and cum with the subjunctive come first.

qui

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