Stage 15 Notes

ancilla urnam portabat.

The slave woman was carrying the jar.

ancilla, quae post Salvium ambulabat, urnam portabat.

The slave woman, who was walking after Salvius, was carrying a jar.

The word in bold is known as a relative pronoun and you will see them in relative clauses.

A relative clause is used to describe a noun.

Relative pronouns agree with the noun they are describing in number and gender.

-case: from its function in its clause

-number/gender: from the antecedent (the word it modifies)

-every relative pronoun introduces a relative clause (a clause that gives you more information about something)

How to unravel a sentence with a relative clause:

1. Identify the relative clause (as a rule, it begins with a relative pronoun and ends with a verb) and put brackets around it.

réx, [quí scéptrum tenébat ], in átrió sedébat.

2. Identify the parts of the sentence:

Subject Verb relative clause

Prep Phrase

rex sedebat [qui sceptrum tenebat]

in atrio

• 3. Translate everything but the relative clause:

 

réx, [quí scéptrum tenébat ], in átrió sedébat = the king was sitting in the atrium

4. Return to the relative clause. Identify the antecedent of the relative pronoun (usually the word immediately preceding the relative pronoun): rex

5. How do you know for sure? the number and gender of the relative pronoun (qui) and its antecedent (rex) must agree: singular and masculine.

6. Translate the relative clause. Since you know that qui is nominative, you know it is the subject of the verb in the clause:

The king, who was holding a scepter

Relative pronouns translate as who (if it describes a person) or which (if it describes a thing).

• 7. Put the whole sentence together.

• Remember that a relative clause acts in the same way as an adjective - it simply gives you more information about a noun...

• The king was sitting in a chair Which king? The king who was holding a scepter (oh, that king!):

• The king, who was holding a scepter, was sitting in the atrium.

Always translate the relative clause right after the noun it is describing!

Nominative- Magistra puerum qui te amat videt.

The teacher sees the boy who likes you.

Dative- Magistra puerum cui donum dedi videt.

The teacher sees the boy to whom I gave a gift.

Accusative- Magistra puerum quem impedis videt.

The teacher sees the boy whom you delay.

Ablative- Magistra puerum cum quo ambulas videt.

The teacher sees the boy with whom you are walking