Grammar Slides KAPITEL 16

Relative Pronouns

 Based on the definite article system.  Agrees in gender and number with its antecedent.  The case of the relative pronoun is determined by its function in the relative clause.

Recognizing Relative Clauses

 Like other subordinate clauses, a relative clause is set off by a comma and the conjugated verb goes to the end of the clause (except in double-infinitive constructions).

Recognizing Relative Clauses

Welch- as Relative Pronoun, Indefinite Pronoun, and Interrogative Pronoun

 Welch-:  Relative pronoun: “who, which, that”  Indefinite pronoun: “some, any”  Interrogative pronoun: “which? Which one?”

(relative)

(indefinite)

(interrogative)

Case of Relative Pronoun Indicates Function

Relative pronoun in the nominative = subject

N.b. here, and in the following slides, it is particularly clear that the difference between restrictive and non-restrictive clauses, which is not a factor in syntax or punctuation in German, as it is in English.

Case of Relative Pronoun Indicates Function

Relative pronoun in the accusative = direct object (or object of accusative preposition)

Case of Relative Pronoun Indicates Function

Relative pronoun in the dative = indirect object (or object of dative preposition or verb)

Case of Relative Pronoun Indicates Function

Relative pronoun in the genitive = possessive noun

Was as a Relative Pronoun

Generalized antecedents (alles, vieles, nichts, etwas, das)

Was as a Relative Pronoun

Neuter superlative antecedents (superlative adjectives used as nouns)

Was as a Relative Pronoun

Non-specified antecedents

Was as a Relative Pronoun

Whole statements as antecedents