Relative Pronouns and Relative Clauses Magister Henderson Latin II

What is a Relative Pronoun? A relative pronoun is a word that introduces a relative clause. A relative clause is a type of subordinate clause that serves to add descriptive qualities about a word that appears earlier in the main clause. This word in the main clause, described in the relative clause, is called the antecedent.

Forms of the Relative Pronoun Notice the irregular genitive and dative singular forms. Also note have the neuter nominative and accusative plurals end in –ae rather than the more common –a.

Antecedents and Relative Pronouns The word “antecedent” means “going before”. The relative pronoun will always have the same gender and number as its antecedent. However the relative pronoun need not match the antecedent in case. This is because the relative pronoun is not an adjective, and is not modifying its antecedent.

Antecedents and Case The case of a relative pronoun depends upon its function is the relative clause, not the case of its antecedent. Though the relative pronoun will occasionally have the same case as its antecedent, this will not always be true. The relative clause will usually come immediately after the antecedent, though in poetry word order may be more flexible.

Translating Relative Clauses 1 Conēlia est puella quae in Italiā habitat. = Cornelia is a girl who lives in Italy. The relative pronoun quae is feminine singular. Its antecedent puella is also feminine singular. The noun puella is nominative, because it follows a linking verb. The relative pronoun quae is also nominative, because it is the subject of its clause. In this instance, the relative pronoun happens to match its antecedent in case.

Translating Relative Clauses 2 Lecticāriī quōs vōbīs condūxī parātī sunt. = The liter-bearers whom I hired for you are ready. The relative pronoun quōs is masculine plural. Its antecedent lecticāriī is also masculine plural. The noun lecticāriī is nominative, because it is the subject of the main clause. The relative pronoun quōs is accusative, because it is the direct object of its clause. In this instance, the relative pronoun does not match its antecedent in case.

Translating Relative Clauses 3 Amīcus cuī ego lībrum dēdī gratiās habuit. = The friend to whom I gave the book was grateful. The relative pronoun cuī is masculine singular. Its antecedent amīcus is also masculine singular. The noun amīcus is nominative, because it is the subject of the main clause. The relative pronoun cuī is dative, because it is the indirect object of its clause. In this instance, the relative pronoun also does not match its antecedent in case.

Translating Relative Clauses 4 Numquam vīderat domum in quā pater suus nātus est. = He had never seen the house in which his father was born. The relative pronoun quā is feminine singular. Its antecedent domum is also feminine singular. The noun domum is accusative, because it is the direct object of the main clause. The relative pronoun quā is ablative, because it is the object of a preposition in its clause. In this instance, the relative pronoun also does not match its antecedent in case.

How to Translate Relative Pronouns The relative pronoun in English is usually translated as either “who”, “whose”, “whom” or “which” for neuter nouns. You can also use the word “that” to translate a relative pronoun. Vehiculum quod in fossā haeret est raeda. = The vehicle which is stuck in the ditch is a carriage. = The vehicle that is stuck in the ditch is a carriage.

Omitted Relative Pronouns in English In English the relative pronoun is often omitted if is is the direct object of the relative clause. In Latin the relative pronoun is never omitted from the relative clause. Taberna quam nōs hodiē visitāvimus plēna hominum erat. = The shop which we visited today was full of people. = The shop we visited today was full of people.