RELATIVE PRONOUNS!

WAIT! WHAT ARE PRONOUNS?  Pronouns replace nouns.  The noun that a pronoun replaces is its antecedent.  They can do anything a noun can do (Subject, etc.).  Pronouns have Case, #, and Gender just like nouns.  Always have the same # & Gender as the antecedent.  Get their case because of what they are doing in the sentence.

EXAMPLE!  Caesar is nice. I like him. Caesar est benignus. eum amo. “him” replaces Caesar in the second sentence. “him” is masculine and singular because Caesar is masculine and singular. “him” is accusative because it’s the Direct Object in its sentence.

SO WHAT ARE RELATIVE PRONOUNS?  Relative Pronouns are a special type of pronoun.  A Relative Pronoun always introduces a Relative Clause.  The Relative Clause starts with a Relative Pronoun and ends with a verb. (often it is set off by commas)  Even when the Relative Pronoun isn’t Nominative it always starts the Relative Clause.

HOW DO I TRANSLATE THEM?  If the relative pronoun refers to a person, the most common English equivalent is who.  If the relative pronoun refers to a thing, the most common English equivalent is which.  Notice that the accusative case in English for ‘who’ is whom.

WHICH ONE TO USE!!!  The relative pronoun agrees in number and gender with its antecedent.  It takes its case from its function in its own clause. (if it is the subject, then it is Nominative)

HOW TO SPOT THEM MFNMFN Nom quīquaequodquīquae Gen cuius quōrumquārumquōrum Dat cui quibus Acc quemquamquodquōsquāsquae Abl. quōquāquōquibus

EXAMPLES!  rex, qui sacrificium faciebat, erat Cogidubnus. The king, who was making the sacrifice, was Cogidubnus.  donum, quod regem maxime delectavit, erat equus. The gift, which greatly pleased the king, was a horse.  domina, quae cubiculum inspiciebat, ancillas laudavit. The mistress, who was inspecting the bedroom, praised the slave girls.

PLUS EXEMPLORUM  coquus, quem ancilla laudavit, erubuit. The cook, whom the slave girl praised, blushed.  Domitilla, quam Marcia vituperavit, lacrimavit. Domitilla, whom Marcia cursed, cried.  vinum, quod servus ferebat, erat optimum. The wine, which the slave was carrying, was excellent.

PLUS EXEMPLORUM  princeps Cantiacus, qui fortissimus erat, ceteros viros facile superavit. The Cantiacian chieftian, who was very brave, easily overpowered the other men.  spectatores, qui in litore stabant, magnas clamores audiverunt. The spectatores, who were standing on the shore, heard the great shouts.

PLUS EXEMPLORUM  victima, quam rex elegit, erat agnus. The victim, which the king chose, was a lamb.  amicus noster, quem nos expectamus, aliam togam quaerit. Our friend, whom we exspect, searches for another toga.

PLUS EXEMPLORUM  templum, quod vides, multas statuas habet. The temple, which you see, has many statues.  ancillae, quae cenam coquebant, diligenter laborabant. The slave girls, who were cooking dinner, were working diligently.