Since relative pronouns have the same form for both numbers and for all three persons, their number and person must be discovered, in each instance, by observing the number and person of the antecedent.
- It is I who am wrong. [First person, singular number: antecedent, I.]
- All you who are ready may go. [Second person plural: antecedent, you.]
- Give help to him who needs it. [Third person, singular: antecedent, him.]
- The road that leads to the shore is sandy. [Third person singular: antecedent, road.]
- The roads that lead to the shore are sandy. [Third person plural: antecedent, roads.]
To determine the number and person of a relative pronoun is particularly necessary when it is the subject of the clause, for the form of the verb varies (as the examples show) according to the number and person of the subject ([§ 222]). Hence the rule for the agreement of a relative with its antecedent is of much practical importance.
150. The case of a relative pronoun has nothing to do with its antecedent, but depends on the construction of its own clause.
- The servant who opened the door wore livery. [Who is in the nominative case, being the subject of opened.]
- He discharged his servant, who immediately left town. [Who is in the nominative case, since it is the subject of left, although its antecedent (servant) is in the objective.]
- The servant whom you discharged has returned. [Whom is in the objective case, since it is the direct object of discharged. The antecedent (servant) is, on the other hand, in the nominative, because it is the subject of has returned.]
- Here is such money as I have. [As is in the objective case, being the object of have. The antecedent (money) is in the nominative.]
151. A relative pronoun in the objective case is often omitted.
| Here is the book which you wanted. | Here is the book you wanted. |
| The noise that I heard was the wind. | The noise I heard was the wind. |
| The man whom I met was a carpenter. | The man I met was a carpenter. |
Note. In older English a relative in the nominative is often omitted: as,—“There’s two or three of us have seen strange sights” (Julius Cæsar), that is, “There are two or three of us who have seen,” etc. The same omission is often made in rapid or careless colloquial speech. It is approved in clauses with there in such sentences as “He is one of the best men there are in the world” ([§ 232]).
152. Certain questions of gender call for particular attention.
1. Which is commonly used in referring to the lower animals unless these are regarded as persons. This is true even when he or she is used of the same animals ([§ 69]).