In a plagal cadence, the typical movement is from which chords?

• A. I to V
• B. V to I
• C. IV to I
• D. ii to V

Answer: (C)

Plagal cadences move from the subdominant to the tonic, giving a gentle, open resolution. The subdominant chord (built on the fourth scale degree) slides down (or reorients) to the tonic, producing that characteristic “Amen” sound heard in many hymns. For example, in C major, you’d hear F major moving to C major, with the bass often moving from F down to C while the inner voices smooth the transition. This contrasts with an authentic cadence, which comes from the dominant to the tonic and has a stronger, more conclusive pull. So the defining motion of a plagal cadence is from IV to I.