Nominal Relative Pronouns

how nominal relative pronouns relatives what when where which who whom why

Nominal relative pronouns are also known as free relative pronouns are used to introduce a relative clause. Click here to learn!

Nominal Relative Pronouns in the English Grammar

What Are Nominal Relative Pronouns?

Nominal relative pronouns (also called free relative pronouns) are used to connect the antecedent and the relative clause.

English Nominal Relative Pronouns

This is the list of nominal relative pronouns:

what/whatever
which/whichever
when/whenever
where/wherever
who/ whoever
why
how
whom/whomever

What Are Nominal Relative Pronouns Used for?

using 'whatever' as a nominal relative pronoun

Nominal relative pronouns are used to introduce a relative clause that plays the role of an object, a subject, or a complement.
Look at an example:

I know whatever you say.

'Whatever you say' acts an object for the verb 'know.'

It is how you said that.

'How you said that' is the complement of 'it is.'

Wherever you go sounds very important to me.

'Wherever you go' is the subject of 'sounds very important to me.'

Where Are Nominal Relative Pronouns Placed?

Nominal relative pronouns head a nominal relative clause that comes after the main clause. For example:

It is what you thought.

'What you thought' is a complement for 'it is.'

'Who' Is a Relative Pronoun or an Interrogative Pronoun?

The only way to understand the difference between 'who' as a relative pronoun and 'who' as an interrogative pronoun is an antecedent before 'who.'
Look at the example:

who does that vs. the man who does that

'Who' in the first example is interrogative pronoun because it replaces a subject. While 'who' in the second example is a relative pronoun because it describes 'the man.'

Comments

What Are Nominal Relative Pronouns?
- What Are Nominal Relative Pronouns Used for?
- - 'Who' Is a Relative Pronoun or an Interrogative Pronoun?

Reciprocal Pronouns

When two or more people are doing the same thing and receiving the consequences of that action at the same time we use reciprocal pronouns.

Relative Pronouns

Relative pronouns are matchmakers of English grammar. They come in the beginning of relative clauses and join two clauses together. Ready to learn about them?

Impersonal Pronouns

An impersonal pronoun does not refer to a specific person or thing. These pronouns help us talk about a thing or person without mentioning what or who.

Archaic Pronouns

Although we don't use 'archaic' or old pronouns today, but if you're a fan of works of Shakespeare, or other classic works you need to learn about them.

Distributive Pronouns

Distributive pronouns refer to nouns separately rather than collectively in a group. In this lesson, we will learn all about them.

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