Relative pronouns are an important part of English grammar. They connect a clause to its antecedent and help in making sentences clear, meaningful, and precise. Understanding their rules—such as omission, agreement, case, and position—is essential for competitive exams and everyday usage.
Relative pronouns ਅੰਗਰੇਜ਼ੀ ਵਿਆਕਰਨ ਦਾ ਮਹੱਤਵਪੂਰਨ ਹਿੱਸਾ ਹਨ। ਇਹ ਕਿਸੇ clause ਨੂੰ ਉਸਦੇ antecedent ਨਾਲ ਜੋੜਦੇ ਹਨ ਅਤੇ ਵਾਕਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਪਸ਼ਟ, ਅਰਥਪੂਰਨ ਅਤੇ ਸਹੀ ਬਣਾਉਂਦੇ ਹਨ। ਇਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਨਿਯਮ—omission, agreement, case ਅਤੇ position—ਦੀ ਸਮਝ ਪ੍ਰਤੀਯੋਗੀ ਪਰੀਖਿਆਵਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਰੋਜ਼ਾਨਾ ਵਰਤੋਂ ਲਈ ਬਹੁਤ ਜ਼ਰੂਰੀ ਹੈ।
Omission of the Antecedent
Sometimes the antecedent (the noun/pronoun before a relative pronoun) is not written in the sentence. It is understood or implied. This happens often in proverbs, sayings, or literary expressions.
ਕਈ ਵਾਰ antecedent (relative pronoun ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਆਉਣ ਵਾਲਾ noun/pronoun) ਵਾਕ ਵਿੱਚ ਨਹੀਂ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ, ਪਰ ਉਹ ਸਮਝਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਇਹ ਅਕਸਰ ਕਹਾਵਤਾਂ ਜਾਂ ਸਾਹਿਤਕ ਵਾਕਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ।
- Who works not shall not eat.
→ (He) who works not shall not eat.
(ਉਹ) ਜੋ ਕੰਮ ਨਹੀਂ ਕਰਦਾ, ਉਹ ਖਾਣ ਨਹੀਂ ਪਾਏਗਾ। - Whom the gods love, die young.
→ (Those persons) whom the gods love, die young.
(ਉਹ ਲੋਕ) ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਰੱਬ ਪਿਆਰ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਜਵਾਨੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਮਰ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ। - This is what he wanted.
→ This is (the thing) what he wanted.
ਇਹ ਉਹ ਚੀਜ਼ ਹੈ ਜੋ ਉਹ ਚਾਹੁੰਦਾ ਸੀ। - Who laughs last laughs best.
→ (He) who laughs last laughs best.
(ਉਹ) ਜੋ ਆਖ਼ਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੱਸਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਸਭ ਤੋਂ ਵਧੀਆ ਹੱਸਦਾ ਹੈ।
Key Point: The antecedent is hidden but understood. The relative pronoun itself carries the meaning.
Antecedent ਲਿਖਿਆ ਨਹੀਂ ਜਾਂਦਾ, ਪਰ relative pronoun ਆਪਣੇ ਆਪ ਹੀ ਉਸਦਾ ਅਰਥ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ।
Rule (1): Agreement of Relative Pronoun and Antecedent
A relative pronoun must agree with its antecedent in number, person, and gender. This means the verb after the relative pronoun is chosen according to the antecedent.
Relative pronoun ਆਪਣੇ antecedent ਦੇ number, person ਅਤੇ gender ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਮਿਲਦਾ ਹੈ। ਇਸਦਾ ਮਤਲਬ ਹੈ ਕਿ relative pronoun ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਆਉਣ ਵਾਲਾ verb antecedent ਦੇ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਹੀ ਵਰਤਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ।
- I, who am your leader, will lead you.
→ Antecedent “I” (first person singular) → verb “am.” - The boy who was lazy was punished.
→ Antecedent “boy” (singular) → verb “was.” - The boys who were lazy were punished.
→ Antecedent “boys” (plural) → verb “were.” - You, who are rich, should help the poor.
→ Antecedent “you” (second person plural in usage) → verb “are.” - The flowers, which grow in our gardens, are not for sale.
→ Antecedent “flowers” (plural) → verb “grow.” - They, who are honest, are trusted.
→ Antecedent “they” (plural) → verb “are.”
Key Point: Always check the antecedent first. The verb after the relative pronoun must match it in number (singular/plural), person (first/second/third), and gender (male/female/neuter).
Antecedent ਦੇ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਹੀ verb ਦੀ ਚੋਣ ਕਰੋ। Singular antecedent ਲਈ singular verb, plural antecedent ਲਈ plural verb ਵਰਤਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ।
Rule (2): Case of the Relative Pronouns
The case of a relative pronoun (subject, object, possessive) depends on its relation with the verb in the clause.
Relative pronoun ਦਾ case (subject, object, possessive) ਉਸਦੇ clause ਵਿੱਚ verb ਨਾਲ ਸੰਬੰਧ ’ਤੇ ਨਿਰਭਰ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ।
- Shyam is the boy who did it.
→ who is subject of verb did.
who verb did ਦਾ subject ਹੈ। - Shyam is the boy whom I want.
→ whom is object of verb want.
whom verb want ਦਾ object ਹੈ। - Shyam is the boy whose pen I have.
→ whose shows possession.
whose possession ਦਿਖਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ। - Shyam is the boy to whom I spoke.|
→ whom is object of preposition to.
whom preposition to ਦਾ object ਹੈ। - He whom we worship, by whose gift we live, is the Lord.
→ whom (object), whose (possessive).
whom object ਹੈ, whose possessive ਹੈ।
Key Point: Always check the role of the relative pronoun in its clause—subject, object, or possessive.
Relative pronoun clause ਵਿੱਚ subject, object ਜਾਂ possessive ਵਜੋਂ ਵਰਤਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ।
Special Notes
(i) One of the + plural noun/pronoun
When “one of the + plural noun/pronoun” is used, the verb after the relative pronoun is plural.
ਜਦੋਂ “one of the + plural noun/pronoun” ਵਰਤਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਤਾਂ relative pronoun ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਆਉਣ ਵਾਲਾ verb plural ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ।
- Ashoka is one of the noblest kings that have ever lived. (Correct)
Ashoka is one of the noblest kings that has ever lived. (Incorrect) - This is one of the best novels that have been published this year. (Correct)
This is one of the best novels that has been published this year. (Incorrect) - I am one of those that love their fellow men. (Correct)
I am one of those that loves their fellow men. (Incorrect)
If the antecedent is “one of the + plural noun/pronoun,” then the relative clause must use plural verb, plural pronoun, and plural adjective.
ਜੇ antecedent “one of the + plural noun/pronoun” ਹੋਵੇ ਤਾਂ relative pronoun ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ plural verb ਵਰਤਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ।
(ii) The only one of + possessive adjective + plural noun
When “the only one of + possessive adjective + plural noun” is used, the verb after the relative pronoun is singular (because it refers to “one”).
ਜਦੋਂ “the only one of + possessive adjective + plural noun” ਵਰਤਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਤਾਂ relative pronoun ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਆਉਣ ਵਾਲਾ verb singular ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਕਿਉਂਕਿ ਇਹ “one” ਨੂੰ ਦਰਸਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ।
- This is the only one of his novels that is worth reading. (Correct)
This is the only one of his novels that are worth reading. (Incorrect) - This is the only one of his paintings that is remarkable. (Correct)
This is the only one of his paintings that are remarkable. (Incorrect)
If the antecedent is “the only one of + possessive adjective + plural noun,” then the relative clause must use singular verb, singular pronoun, and singular adjective.
ਜੇ antecedent “the only one of + possessive adjective + plural noun” ਹੋਵੇ ਤਾਂ relative pronoun ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ singular verb ਵਰਤਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ, plural ਨਹੀਂ।