relative pronoun

American  

noun

1. one of the pronouns who, whom, which, what, their compounds with -ever or -soever, or that used as the subordinating word to introduce a subordinate clause, especially such a pronoun referring to an antecedent.

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Commonly Confused

See who.

Etymology

Origin of relative pronoun

First recorded in 1520–30

Example Sentences

The English language adds more physical weight and hard sound, with the audibility of the relative pronoun, "that", and the predominance of masculine line-endings contributory factors.

From The Guardian • Feb. 11, 2013

I have no other explanation than to suppose an omitted relative pronoun, like Hero savest in No. 17.

From Poems of Gerard Manley Hopkins Now First Published by Bridges, Robert Seymour

The relative pronoun takes the case required by the clause it introduces, not the case required by any word preceding it.

From Practical Grammar and Composition by Wood, Thomas

And should not be placed before a relative pronoun in such a position as to interfere with the construction.

From Word Study and English Grammar A Primer of Information about Words, Their Relations and Their Uses by Hamilton, Frederick W. (Frederick William)

The conjunction as, when it is connected with such, many, or same, is sometimes, though erroneously, called a relative pronoun; as, "Let such as presume to advise others," &c.; that is, Let them who, &c.

From English Grammar in Familiar Lectures by Kirkham, Samuel