Page 56
But if I happen to have more than one sister, I can say-
My sister that has been adopted by my uncle is ill.
158. The Relative Pronoun that is used in preference to who or which-
(1) After Adjectives in the Superlative Degree; as,
• He was the most eloquent speaker that I ever heard.
• The wisest man that ever lived made mistakes.
• This is the best that we can do.
(2) After the words all, same, any, none, nothing, (the) only; as,
• All is not gold that glitters.
• He is the same man that he has been.
• It is only donkeys that bray.
• It was not for nothing that he studied philosophy.
• Man is the only animal that can talk.
(3) After the Interrogative Pronouns who, what; as,
• Who that saw her did not pity her?
• Who am I that I should object?
• What is it that troubles you so much?
• What is there that I do not know ?
(4) After two antecedents, one denoting a person and the other denoting an animal or a
thing; as,
The boy and his dog that had trespassed on the club premises were turned out.
159. What refers to things only. It is used without an antecedent expressed, and is
equivalent to that which (or the thing which).
What (= that which) cannot be cured must be endured.
I say what (= that which) T mean.
T mean what I say.
What is done cannot be undone.
What man has done man can do.
What is one man's meat is another man's poison.
Give careful heed to what I say.
What I have written, I have written.
He found what he was looking for.
It will be noticed that what is used in the Nominative and Accusative singular only.
160. In older English the word as was used as a relative pronoun after such; as,
Tears such as angels weep burst forth.
These mangoes are not such as I bought yesterday.
He is such a man as I honour.
We have never had such a time as the present.
His answer was such as I expected him to give.
The word as can be used as a relative pronoun after same; as,
My trouble is the same as yours [is].
This is not the same as that [is].
[But] I played with the same bat that you did.
Page 57
‘The same as’ usually means ‘of the same kind’.
‘The same...that’ means ‘one and the same’.
The word as is also used as a Relative Pronoun after as followed by an adjective; as,
I collected as many specimens as I could find.
[Note.- The first as is here an Adverb.]
161. In older English the word but was used as a relative pronoun after a negative; it
often had the force of a relative pronoun..
There is none but will agree with me. (but will agree = who will not agree).
There is no Hindu but knows the story of the Ramayana. (That is, there is
no Hindu who does not know, etc.)
There is no man but wishes to live.
There is no rose but has some thorn, (but = which...no)
There is scarcely a child but likes candy.
There is no man but knows these things, (but = who does not.)
It will be seen that the pronoun but is here equivalent to who...not, which...not.
Omission of the Relative Pronoun
162. The Relative Pronoun is generally omitted when it would be in the accusative case ;
as,
Few and short were the prayers -- we said.
A contented mind is the greatest blessing -- a man can enjoy in the world.
I am monarch of all -- I survey.
Men must reap the things -- they sow.
“That is used preferably with reference to persons. Thus we tend to say ‘the meeting
which I attended yesterday,’ rather than ‘the meeting that I attended yesterday.’ But more
frequently still do we say ‘the meeting I attended yesterday,’ the Accusative Relative
being as a rule omitted altogether.” -Onions.
This tendency to omit the Accussative Relative is more marked in the spoken language.
In the written language its omission is often felt to be undignified.
163. In the following examples from poetry a Relative Pronoun in the nominative case is
omitted :-
“Tis distance -- lends enchantment to the view.”
“I have a brother -- is condemned to die.”
Note.- The omission of a Relative Pronoun in the nominative case is now quite
exceptional except in colloquial speech. There's somebody at the door A wants to see
you.
Omission of the Antecedent
164. In older English the Antecedent of a Relative Pronoun was
Page 58
sometimes left out ; as,
Who works not shall not eat.
= (He) who works shall not cat.
Whom the gods love, die young.
= (Those) whom the gods love die young.
Who steals my purse, steals trash.
Who laughs last laughs best.
Who has lost all hope has also lost all fear.
Be good, sweet maid, and let who will be clever.
Agreement of the Relative Pronoun and its Antecedent
165. As the Relative Pronoun refers to a Noun or Pronoun (called its Antecedent) it must
be of the same number and person as its Antecedent. [Remember that the verb shows the
number and person of the Relative Pronoun.]
• The boy who was lazy was punished.
• The boys who were lazy were punished.
• I, who am your king, will lead you.
• I am the person that is to blame.
• We who seek your protection, are strangers here.
• thou that leadest Israel !
• You who arc mighty, should be merciful.
• You who seek wisdom, should be humble.
• He that is not with me is against me.
• He that is down, needs fear no fall.
• He that eats till he is sick must fast till he is well.
• They who live in glass houses should not throw stones.
• They who seek only for faults see nothing else.
• The flowers which grow in our gardens are not for sale.
• This is the only one of his poems that is worth reading.
[= Of his poems this is the only one that is worth reading.]
But the case of the Relative Pronoun depends upon its relation to the verb in the clause in
which it occurs.
• Rama is the boy who did it.
• Rama is the boy whom I want.
• Rama is the boy whose pencil I have.
• Rama is the boy to whom 1 spoke.
• He whom we worship, by whose gift we live, is the Lord.
Position of the Relative Pronoun
166. To prevent ambiguity, the Relative Pronoun should be placed as near as possible to
its Antecedent; as,
The boy who won the first prize in English is the son. of my friend,
Mr. Joshi.
It would mean something quite different if we separate the Relative Pronoun from its
Antecedent and say-
The boy is the son of my friend Mr. Joshi who won the first prize.
Again such a sentence as “I have read Gokhale's speeches, who was a disciple of Ranade”
would be improved if changed to “I have read Gokhale’s speeches, who was a disciple of
Ranade”.
So also the following sentence requires to be rearranged:-
Page 59
I with my family reside in a village near Pune which consists of my wife and three
children.
Compound Relative Pronouns
167. Pronouns formed by adding ever, so, or soever to who, which and what are called
Compound Relative Pronouns. They are:-
Whoever, whoso, whosoever; whichever; whatever, whatsoever.
These Relatives have no antecedent expressed.
Whosoever (= any and every person who) exalteth himself shall be abased.
Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein.
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.
168. The forms whoever, whichever, and whatever are now ordinarily used; as,
Whoever (i.e., any person who) comes is welcome.
Take whichever lie., any which) you like.
I will take with me whomsoever you choose.
Whatever (i.e, anything which) he does, he does well.
Exercise in Grammar 29
Name the Relative Pronouns in the following sentences, tell the case of each, and
mention its antecedent:-
1. The pen that you gave me is a very good one.
2. The answer which you gave is not right.
3. I know the woman whose child was hurt.
4. Bring me the letters which the postman left.
5. This is the house that Jack built.
6. Hari saw the man who had been hurt.
7. We met the sailors whose ship was wrecked.
8. Here are the books which I found.
9. The cat killed the rat that ate the com.
10. Bring me the books which lie on the table.
11. Here is the book that you lent me.
12. I hate children who are cruel.
13. Show me the knife that you have bought.
14. He has not brought the knife that I asked for.
15. Dogs soon know the persons by whom they are kindly treated.
16. This is the juggler whom we saw yesterday.
17. They that seek wisdom will be wise
Exercise in Composition 30
Fill the blanks with suitable Relative Pronouns:-
1. We always like boys --- speak the truth.
2. We saw the dog --- worried the cat.
3. He ---, does his best shall be praised.
4. I know ---. you mean.
5. She has gone to Chennai, --- is her birthplace.
6. I have seen the bird --- you describe.
7. I do not know the man --- hit the boy.
Page 60
10. Here is the pen --- you lost.
11. Most people get --- they deserve.
12. Time --- is lost is never found again.
13. I did not know the person --- called.
14. He is a man --- you can trust.
.
15. Where is the book --- I gave you?
16. Is this the street --- leads to the station? .
17. The letter --- you wrote never arrived.
18. Listen to --- I say.
19. He --- is merciful shall meet mercy.
20. Did you receive the letter --- I sent yesterday?
21. --- I have said, I have said.
22. --- he was I could never find out.
23. --- do you believe him to be?
24. Do you know --- has happened?
25. --- is done cannot be undone.
26. Do the same --- I do.
27. For my purpose I need such a man --- he is.
28. God helps those --- help themselves.
29. No man can lose --- he never had.
30.You should not imitate such a boy --- he.
A work from S. CHAND & COMPANY LTD.
Exercise in Composition 31
Fill the blanks with suitable Relative Pronouns:-
1. That man --- wilt not work must starve.
2. Such a man --- he should be honoured.
3. These mangoes are not such --- I bought yesterday.
4. It is not such a pretty place --- I had expected.
5. We have need of more such men --- he.
6. He plays the game --- he likes best.
7. I do not believe --- you say.
8. My uncle, --- I loved, is dead.
9. The farmer is cutting the corn--- has ripened.
10. --- you say is not true.
11. A lady --- I know nursed the child.
12. He says--- he means, and means --- he says.
13. --- pleases you wilt please me.
14. I gave it to the man --- I saw there.
15. I know --- you are seeking.
16. They --- touch pitch will be defiled.
17. You have not brought the book --- I asked for.
18. Only he --- bears the burden knows its weight.
19. Such books --- you read are not worth reading.
20. When you speak to him remember to --- you are speaking.
21. I regard that man as lost --- has lost his sense of shame.
22. Wealth is not his --- has it, but his --- enjoys it.
23. People --- are too sharp cut their own fingers.
24. Truth provokes those --- it does not convert.
25. We do not know --- he intends to do.
26. It is an ill wind --- blows nobody good,
27. Is this a dagger --- I see before me?
.
28. I know to --- you are alluding.
29. --- the gods would destroy they first make mad.
30. He is the very man --- we want.
31. Place recite --- you have learned.
Page 61
32. They always talk --- never think.
33. Such --- have pure hearts shall inherit the kingdom of heaven.
Exercise in Composition 32
Join together each of the following pairs of sentences by means of a Connective:-
1. I know a man. The man has been to Iceland.
2. The thief stole the watch. The thief was punished.
3. Show the road. The road leads to Delhi.
4. Here is the doctor. The doctor cured me of malaria.
5. J met a boy. He was very cruel.
6. He does his best. He should be praised.
7. The man is honest. The man is trusted.
8. My father is dead. I loved my father.
9. The teacher sent for the boy. The boy came at once.
10. Wellington was a great general. He defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo.
11. The dog bit the burglar. The burglar had broken into the house.
12. Once upon a time there lived a giant. The giant was very powerful and cruel.
13. We met a girl. The girl had lost her way.
14. Kalidas is famous. He wrote some fine dramas.
15. He is a rogue. No one trusts him.
16. The child is dead. The child came here yesterday.
17. The child is dead. I saw the child yesterday.
18. I know the man. He stole the bicycle.
19. The man stole the bicycle. He has been arrested.
20. I have found the umbrella. I lost it.
21. I saw a soldier. He had lost an arm.
22. This is the path. He came by this path.
23. The horse was lame. We saw the horse. . .
.
24. Those boys were kept in. They had been very lazy.
25. I saw a girl. She was singing.
26. That boy bowls very well. You see him there.
27. Here is the book. You were asking for the book.
28. Here is the pencil. You lost it yesterday. .
29. The man is deaf. You spoke to the man.
30. Coal is found in Bengal. It is a very useful mineral.
Exercise in Composition 33
Join together each of the following pairs of sentences by means of a Connective:-
1. This is the building. It was built in a single month.
2. The letter reached me this morning. You sent the letter.
3. Karim is always idle. He was punished.
4. I met my uncle. He had just arrived.
5. This is the house. Jack built it.
6. The boy is my cousin. You see him there.
7. The ladies have arrived. I was speaking of them.
8. The boys clapped heartily. They were watching the match.
9. The boy tells lies. He deserves to be punished.
10. I heard a song. The song pleased me.
Page 62
13. Here is a book. The book contains pictures.
14. Give me the ruler. The ruler ts on the desk.
15. The bicycle is a new one. Hari rode it.
16. We got into a bus. It was full of people.
17. He has a friend. He is a clever artist.
18. He is a well-known man. His generosity is the talk of the town.
19. The cat caught the mouse. The cat was pursuing the mouse.
20. Can I borrow the book? You are reading it.
21. The boy was very proud. He had won the first prize.
22. Little Red Riding Hood went lo visit her grandmother. Her grand mother was ill in
bed.
23. This is my cousin. I was speaking of him.
24. We all despise a cowardly boy. He is one.
25. This is the cat. It killed the rat.
26. Those grapes were very sweet. You brought them.
27. Hari spoke to the soldier. The soldier's arm was in a sling.
28. The captain praised Balu. Balu's bowling was very good.
29. A man came running up. He heard me calling.
Exercise in Composition 34
Split each of the following sentences into two:-
1. The boys gave a loud shout, which was heard across the river.
2. Bring me the book that is on the table.
3. It was a wretched hut in which she lived.
4. The boy who fell off his bicycle has hurt his leg.
5. The elephant 'hat was sick died.
6. The farmer is cutting the corn which has ripened.
7. Napoleon, whom (he French honour, died at St. Helena.
8. The crow dropped the cheese, which the fox immediately snapped up.
9. John, who is my cousin, is a diligent boy.
10. Where is the parcel that I left here yesterday?
11. I have found the book which I lost.
12. We visited Cox's Bazar, which is the most attractive spot in Bangladesh.
13. The boy whom you see there made the top score in the last match.
14. Dadabhai Naoroji, who was the First Indian to enter the British Parliament, was a
Parsee.
15. He is a poet whose works arc widely known.
16. The Taj Mahal, which was built by Shah Jahan, is the finest mausoleum in the world.
17. Last year we visited the Moti Masjid. which is a mosque of great architectural beauty.
18. The meeting, which was held in the Town Hall, was a great success.
19. The rope, which was old, snapped.
20. The task which you have to do is easy.
21. People who live in glass houses must not throw stones.
CHAPTER 19
INTERROGATIVE PRONOUNS
169. Consider the following sentences :-
Who is there? Who are you?
About whom you are thinking? / Who are you thinking about?
Page 63
Whom do you want? / Who do you want?
Whose is this book?
Which is the house?
Which do you prefer, tea or coffee?
What is the matter?
What do you want?
What will all (he neighbours say?
It will be noticed that the Pronouns in italics are similar in form to Relative Pronouns.
But the work which they do is different. They are here used for asking questions, and are,
therefore, called Interrogative Pronouns.
170. In the following sentences the Interrogative Pronouns are used in asking indirect
questions.
I asked who was speaking.
I do not know who is there.
Tell me what you have done.
Ask what he wants.
Say which you would tike best.
171. Again consider the following sentences: -
Who gave you that knife? (Nominative)
Whose is this book? (Possessive)
Whom did you see? / Who did you see?, To whom were you speaking? / Who were you
speaking to? (Accusative)
What is that? (Nominative)
What do you want? (Accusative)
Which is he? (Nominative)
Which do you prefer? (Accusative)
Nominative: who, Possessive: whose, Accusative: whom/who --Masc. and Fem. Singular
and Plural.
Today the accusative who is more usual than whom, especially in spoken English.
What and which do not have different forms for different cases.
172. Who is used of persons only.
Who spoke? (We expect the answer to be the name of a person.)
Who goes there? Who made the top score? Who is knocking at the door? Who says so?
Whose is this umbrella? Whom did you see?
173. Which is used of both persons and things. It implies selection, that is, it implies a
question concerning a limited number.
Which is your friend? Which are your books?
Which of the boys saw him?
Which of you has done this?
Which of these books is yours?
Which of the pictures do you like best?
Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? Which will you take?
174. What is used of things only.
What have you found? (We expect the answer to be the name of a thing.)
What do you want? What did you say?
Page 64.
What was it all about?
What is sweeter than honey?
What are those marks on your coat?
175. In such expressions as, 'What are you?' 'What is he?' What is this man?' the word
what does not refer to the person but to his profession or employment (Today it is more
usual to say, ‘What do you do?’ etc).
What are you? --- I am a doctor.
What is he? --- He is an engineer.
But-
Who is he? (= What is his name and family?) -He is Mr. K.P. Roy.
176. In the following sentences which and what are used as Interrogative Adjectives:-
• Which book are your reading?
• Which way shall we go?
• What books have you read?
• What pranks are you playing?
• What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
177. In the following sentences the words in italics are used as Compound Interrogative
Pronouns :-
Whoever told you so?
Whatever are you doing?
Note.- The forms whoever, whichever, whatever, are intensive.
Exercise in Composition 35
Use the correct form of the Interrogative Pronoun in the following:-
1. --- wishes to see you?
2. --- do you wish to see?
3. --- did she say was the winner?
4. --- did he invite?
5. --- shall I give this to?
6. --- do men say that I am?
7. --- do you believe did this?
8. About --- are you speaking?
9. --- did you see?
10. --- do you mean?
11. To --- did you give the key?
12. --- of the girls can sew the best?
13. By --- was the book written?
14. --- are you seeking?
15. --- of you has done this?
16. --- have you seen?
17. --- of our dogs is ill?
18. --- do you think they are?
19. ---do you think I am?
20. --- did you find there?
21. --- was that speaking to you?
22. --- came here yesterday?
23. --- do you consider in the right?
24. --- , do you consider, is right?
25. --- did you speak to?
26. --- is life worth?
27. --- of these bats will you take?
28. --- did he say?
29. --- is that for?
30. --- have you decided to do?
31. --- stole the bird's nest?
32. --- do you prefer?
33. --- are you doing?
34. --- has my book?
35. --- is an Island?
36. --- is your book?
37. --- do you want?
38. With --- were you talking?
39. --- did they fight each other for?
40. --- is better, honour or riches?
41. --- am I speaking to, please?
Page 65
178. A Pronoun used as an exclamation is called an Exclamatory Pronoun ; as,
What! Still here ! I thought you had gone home long ago.
What! You don't know Rama?
CHAPTER 20
THE VERB Transitive and Intransitive Verbs
179; A Verb is a word that tells or asserts something about a person or thing. Verb comes
from the Latin verbum, a word. It is so called because it is the most important word in a
sentence.
A Verb may tell us-
(1) What a person or thing does; as,
Hari laughs.
The clock strikes.
(2) What is done to a person or thing ; as,
Hari is scolded.
The window is broken.
(3) What a person or thing is; as,
The cat is dead.
Glass is brittle.
I feel sorry.
Def:- A Verb is a word used to tell or assert something about some person or thing.
180. A Verb often consists of more than one word; as,
The girls were singing.
I have learnt my lesson.
The watch has been found.
181. Read these sentences:-
1. The boy kicks the football.
2. The boy laughs loudly.
In sentence 1, the action denoted by the verb kicks passes over from the doer or subject
boy to some Object football. The verb kicks is, therefore, called a Transitive Verb.
(Transitive means passing over.)
In sentence 2, the action denoted by the verb laughs stops with the doer or Subject boy
and does not pass over to an Object, The verb laughs is, therefore, called an Intransitive
Verb. (Intransitive means not passing over.)
Def.- A Transitive Verb is a Verb that denotes an action which passes over from the doer
or Subject to an object.
Def.- An Intransitive Verb is a Verb that denotes an action which does not pass over to an
object, or which expresses a state or being ; as,
He ran a long distance. (Action)
The baby sleeps. (State)
There is a flaw in this diamond. (Being)
A work from S. CHAND & COMPANY LTD.
