RELATIVE PRONOUNS
How
to identify relative clauses | how to translate them
case: from its function in its clause
number/gender: from the antecedent
every relative pronoun introduces a
relative clause (a kind of dependent clause)
How
to unravel a sentence with a relative clause:
Example: Magister
puerum qui te amat
videt.
1. Identify the relative clause (as a
rule, it begins with a relative pronoun and ends with a verb) and put
brackets around it.
Magister puerum {qui
te amat} videt.
2. SOV the sentence:
S |
O |
relative
clause |
V |
Magister |
puerum |
{qui
te amat} |
videt. |
3. Translate the core sentence:
Magister puerum {qui
te amat} videt. =
The teacher sees the boy.
3. Return to the relative clause.
Identify the antecedent of the relative pronoun (usually the word
immediately preceding the relative pronoun): puerum
4. How do you know for sure? the
number and gender of the relative pronoun (qui)
and its antecedent (puerum) must agree: singular and
masculine.
5. Translate the relative clause.
Since you know that qui is nominative, you know it is the subject of
the verb in the clause it governs:
(the boy) who
loves you
6. Put the whole sentence together.
Remember that a relative clause acts in the same way as a big, fat
adjective - it simply gives you more information about a noun...The teacher
sees the boy. Which boy? The boy who loves you (oh, that boy!):
The teacher sees the
boy who loves you.
USE
OF THE RELATIVE PRONOUN IN EVERY CASE:
Magister puerum {qui
te amat} videt.
The teacher sees the boy who
likes you.
Magister puerum {cuius
canis vivit} videt.
The teacher sees the boy whose
dog is alive.
Magister puerum {cui
donum dedi} videt.
The teacher sees the boy to
whom I gave a gift.
Magister puerum {quem
amas} videt.
The teacher sees the boy whom
you love.
Magister puerum {quocum
ambulas} videt.
The teacher sees the boy with
whom you are walking.
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