DI: Lesson - Relative Pronouns - Special Uses

Relative Pronouns - Special Uses

The following information is provided to give you a few more details about relative pronouns. Additionally, a few alternative perspectives are provided on how to understand the role of the pronoun and antecedent. Please take notes on this material, as it may help you in better understanding these complex pronouns and the reading passage.

Special Notes on Relative Pronoun Usage

Pay attention for these special uses of the relative pronoun:

A relative pronoun can be used with or without a subject pronoun. When a subject pronoun is lacking, the verb’s personal ending will act as the antecedent:
- With Subject Pronoun:
  - Is qui venit veritatem non scit.
    - He who is coming does not know the truth.
    - Translate: The one who is coming does not know the truth.
- Without Subject Pronoun:
  - Qui venit veritatem non scit.
    - He who is coming does not know the truth.
    - Translate: The one who is coming does not know the truth.
- N.B. In this construction, it is possible to tell the gender of the subject based on the gender of the Relative Pronoun:
  - Quae venit veritatem non scit.
    - She who comes does not know the truth.
    - Translate: The woman who is coming does not know the truth.
Id quod or ea quae - The neuter relative pronoun combined with the demonstrative pronoun literally translates to that which or those things which. It is often translated as what:
- Monstra mihi id quod invenisti.
  - Show me that thing which you found.
  - Show me what you found.
- Monstra mihi ea quae invenisti.
  - Show me those things which you found.
  - Show me what you found.
The relative pronoun is used more frequently in Latin than in English. As such, there will be certain instances where a literal translation will not make much sense. In such cases, it is often appropriate to substitute a demonstrative pronoun:
- Quae cum ita sint...
- Since these things are so...
  - Nota bene - this is Ciceronian idiomatic construction.