Relative clauses 3
There are some basic rules for relative clauses. The relative clause is a subordinate clause:
the verb is at the end of the sentence
the separable prefix is reattached
a comma separates the relative clause from the main clause
The relative clause refers to a noun in the main clause (the antecedent):
the gender and number of the relative pronoun is determined by the noun it refers to
the relative clause follows closely the noun to which it refers
the relative clause adds information about the noun it refers to
The relative clause does not affect the word order in the main clause
The case of the relative pronoun is determined by its function within the relative clause.
One of the rules above states that the relative pronoun (with its clause) follows closely the noun to which it refers.
There are exceptions to this rule. It is possible to place an infinitive or a separable prefix or an adverb between the antecedent and the pronoun, especially if this infinitive or separable prefix or adverb would be almost the only segment of the main clause after the relative clause.
Examples:
Er kommt nicht in dem Zug, den er angegeben hat, an.
Er kommt nicht in dem Zug an, den er angegeben hat.
Ich muss das Buch, das ich ihr schenken will, erst einpacken.
Ich muss das Buch erst einpacken, das ich ihr schenken will.
Sie fängt erst heute mit der Arbeit, die sie morgen abgeben muss, an.
Sie fängt erst heute mit der Arbeit an, die sie morgen abgeben muss.
wo or wohin replacing in + relative pronoun.
We have seen relative pronouns preceded by prepositions. There is nothing special about this. However, if the preposition is indicating a direction toward or the location of a town, city or country one often uses wo or wohin rather than the preposition and the relative pronoun.
Examples:
Die Stadt, in die ich gezogen bin, liegt in Brandenburg.
Die Stadt, wohin ich gezogen bin, liegt in Brandenburg.
Die Stadt, in der meine Eltern wohnen, hat 50.000 Einwohner.
Die Stadt, wo meine Eltern wohnen, hat 50.000 Einwohner.