der/die/das + relative pronoun agreement
A relative clause (Relativsatz) is a subordinate clause that gives more information about a noun in the main clause. In German, relative clauses are introduced by a relative pronoun (Relativpronomen) that agrees with the noun it refers to in gender and number, but whose case is determined by its grammatical role within the relative clause. Relative clauses are always separated from the main clause by a comma, and the conjugated verb moves to the end of the clause.
The relative pronoun agrees in gender and number with its antecedent.
The antecedent is the noun in the main clause that the relative clause describes. If that noun is masculine singular (e.g. der Mann), the relative pronoun must also be masculine singular, regardless of its case inside the relative clause.
The case of the relative pronoun is determined by its function inside the relative clause.
Inside the relative clause the relative pronoun acts as a noun: it can be the subject (Nominative), direct object (Accusative), indirect object (Dative), or show possession (Genitive). Identify what role the pronoun plays in the subordinate clause to choose the correct case.
The conjugated verb goes to the end of the relative clause.
Because a relative clause is a subordinate clause (Nebensatz), the finite verb is placed at the very end. Separable prefix verbs are re-joined in final position: e.g. … der anruft (not … der ruft an).
Relative clauses are always enclosed in commas.
A comma is placed before the relative pronoun that opens the clause and after the final verb of the clause (unless the relative clause ends the sentence, in which case the closing comma is replaced by the sentence-final punctuation mark).
Prepositions precede the relative pronoun when the relative pronoun is the object of a preposition.
Unlike English, German does not strand prepositions at the end of a clause. The preposition and relative pronoun form a unit placed together at the start of the relative clause, e.g. … mit dem ich gesprochen habe (the person with whom I spoke).
| Case | Masculine (m) | Feminine (f) | Neuter (n) | Plural (pl) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | die | das | die |
| Accusative | den | die | das | die |
| Dative | dem | der | dem | denen |
| Genitive | dessen | deren | dessen | deren |
Der Mann, der dort steht, ist mein Lehrer.
The man who is standing there is my teacher.
Masculine antecedent (der Mann); pronoun is subject of the relative clause → Nominative masculine: der.
Das Buch, das ich lese, ist sehr interessant.
The book that I am reading is very interesting.
Neuter antecedent (das Buch); pronoun is direct object (ich lese es) → Accusative neuter: das.
Die Frau, der ich geholfen habe, war sehr dankbar.
The woman whom I helped was very grateful.
Feminine antecedent (die Frau); helfen governs Dative → Dative feminine: der.
Der Student, dessen Laptop kaputt ist, muss einen neuen kaufen.
The student whose laptop is broken needs to buy a new one.
Masculine antecedent (der Student); possession → Genitive masculine: dessen.
Die Kinder, denen wir geholfen haben, waren sehr glücklich.
The children whom we helped were very happy.
Plural antecedent (die Kinder); helfen governs Dative → Dative plural: denen.
Das Restaurant, in dem wir gegessen haben, war ausgezeichnet.
The restaurant in which we ate was excellent.
Neuter antecedent (das Restaurant); preposition in + Dative → Dative neuter: dem. Preposition comes first.
Die Lehrerin, deren Unterricht ich liebe, unterrichtet Deutsch.
The teacher whose lessons I love teaches German.
Feminine antecedent (die Lehrerin); possession → Genitive feminine: deren.
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