Relative Clauses

Definition

• Relative clauses are a type of subordinate clause

• They are descriptive clauses that modify nouns

Example

Cornelia est puella Romana quae in Italia habitat.

• The underlined clause gives information about the noun “puella”

• This relative clause describes Cornelia as living in Italy

Relative Pronouns• Relative Clauses are introduced by

Relative Pronouns.

• Relative Pronouns connect the statement in the subordinate clause (the relative clause) to the noun in the main clause

• From our example:

Cornelia est puella Romana quae in Italia habitat.

Relative Pronoun

Antecedent• The noun in the main clause which

connects to the relative clause is called the antecedent.

• Cornelia est puella Romana quae in Italia habitat.

• In this example “puella” is the antecedent.

Forms of the Relative Pronoun

See Handout

Choosing the correct relative pronoun

The form of the relative pronoun that introduces a relative clause depends on two things:

1. The gender and number of its antecedent

2. The case required by the function of the relative pronoun in its own clause

Example:

• Cornelia est puella Romana quae in Italia habitat.

• From the chart, “quae” could be 4 choices– Can you find which ones?

• “quae” is the correct relative pronoun because it matches its antecedent (“puella”) in gender and number (fem., and sing.)

• The case is nominative because in the relative clause “quae” is the subject

Example #1

• Crines eius curabant duae ancillae, quarumquarum altera speculum tenebat.

• Here, “quarum” is the relative pronoun that introduces the relative clause

• If the antecedent is “ancillae”, what gender and number must “quarum” be?

• What case is “quarum”? Why?

Example #1 cont.

• Crines eius curabant duae ancillae, quarumquarum altera speculum tenebat.

• “quarum” is genitive because the relative clause states “one (of the slavewomen) was holding a mirror”

• “quarum” is fem. Pl. because “ancillae” is feminine plural

Example #2

• Phrygia, quae crines neglegenter pectebat, dominam vexabat.

• Which word is the antecedent?

• Which word is the relative pronoun?

• Which is the relative clause?• What gender, case and number could

the relative pronoun be?

Example #2 cont.• “quae” is the relative pronoun

• The antecedent is “Phrygia”

• “quae” could be 4 different forms

–What forms could “quae” be?

• What gender and number is “Phygia”?

• What gender and number must “quae” be?

Example #2 cont. • Since “Phrygia” is feminine singular,

“quae” must be feminine singular• How does “quae” function in the relative

clause?–“(Phrygia) was carelessly brushing the

hair”• “Phrygia” is the subject, so “quae” must

be which case?• “Quae” must be nominative case

Example #3 • Many men were in the streets which were not

lit well.• antecedent _______________ case _____ number _____ gender _____• relative pronoun _______________ case _____ number _____ gender _____• What other noun(s) are in the sentence?• What case would each be?• What tense would the verb were be?• What person and number would the verb be?

Example #4• Have you seen that beautiful litter in which that

huge man was riding?• antecedent _____ case _____ number _____ gender_____• relative pronoun ____ case _____ number _____ gender _____• What other noun(s) are in the sentence?• What case would each be? • What tense would the verb have seen be?• What person and number would the verb be? • What tense would the verb was riding be?