Using the correct relative pronoun
In German, the relative pronoun has to agree in gender (masculine, femi-
nine or neuter) and number (singular, plural) with the preceding noun it
refers to.
Note that the case of the relative pronoun depends on its function
within the clauseit introduces. If, for instance, the relative pronoun func-
tions as the subjectin the relative clause it has to take the appropriate
nominativeform:Sie sahen einen Film, derin den 50er Jahren gedreht wurde.
They watched a film, which was made in the 1950s.The function of the relative pronoun within the relative clause becomes
clear, when you convert it into a statement:→Der Film(subject, nominative)wurde in den 50er Jahren gedreht.Equally, if the relative pronoun refers to the direct object, it needs to take
the appropriate accusativeform:Ist das der Mantel, dendu gestern gekauft hast?
Is this the coat which you bought yesterday?
→Du hast den Mantel(direct object, accusative)gestern gekauft.In the following sections, you will find more details on relative clauses in
all four cases.Relative clauses in more detail
Using the nominative
When the relative pronoun is the subject of the relative clause its form
is identical with the definite articlein the nominative case:Er trug einen Anzug, dersehr teuer war.(masc.)
He wore a suit which was very expensive.Sie hat eine Freundin, dieaus London kommt. (fem.)
She has a friend who comes from London.Das Bootist ein Buch, dasvon Buchheim geschrieben wurde.(nt.)
Das Boot is a book which was written by Buchheim.Unit 20: Relative clauses 151