RELATIVE PRONOUNS: Introduction
Relative pronouns are pronouns which relate to another noun in the sentence. They refer to the antecedent, the noun the relative pronoun relates to. For this introduction, only the nominative case relative pronouns will be explained.
Relative pronouns: QUI = who (masculine), which QUAE = who (feminine), which QUOD = which (neuter)
These relative pronouns are used as subjects in their own clause. The gender and number are determined by the antecedent. They are the SAME as the antecedent.
Generally, but not always, the relative clause goes from the relative pronoun to the next verb.
EG: The man who is calling me is my father. Vir qui me vocat pater meus est.
“Who is calling me” is the relative clause. Qui is masculine and singular because man is masculine and singular.
It is used as the subject of its own clause.
EG: The woman who buys the food is a servant. Femina quae cibum emit ancilla est.
“Who buys the food” is the relative clause. Quae is feminine and singular because woman is feminine and singular.
It is used as the subject of its own clause.
EG: The wave which was huge destroys the shore. Unda quae ingens est oram delet.
“Which was large” is the relative clause. Quae is feminine and singular because wave (unda) is feminine and singular.
It is used as the subject of its own clause. Notice that quae is translated which in English even though it is feminine in Latin.
In English all inanimate objects are neuter.
