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