Nominal relatives (also called fused or free or independent or headless relatives) introduce nominal relative clauses. Some grammar books also use the term relativizer in place of relative.
They can be pronoun, determiner, or adverb, consequently earning the name nominal relative pronoun, nominal relative determiner, or nominal relative adverb, respectively. Here is the list of nominal relatives:
- who, whoever, whosoever [Nominal relative pronoun]
- whom, whomever, whomsoever [Nominal relative pronoun]
- what, whatever, whatsoever [Nominal relative pronoun/determiner]
- which, whichever, whichsoever [Nominal relative pronoun/determiner]
- when, where, why, how [Nominal relative adverb]
The what– and which-series can function as pronoun as well as determiner. So, there are twelve nominal relative pronouns, six determiners, and four adverbs.
Except whatsoever, nominal relatives with –soever suffix are rarely used these days.
Here are few examples of nominal relatives.
(Nominal relative clause has been underlined and nominal relative boldened.)
Nominal relative pronoun
The discussion focused on what they would like to achieve.
Tell me who’s your friend, and I’ll tell you who you are.
Our problem is whom we trust.
Whoever wins the contest will receive a scholarship.
The winner will be whichever team scores the most points.
The child threw tantrums at whomsoever he ran into.
Nominal relative determiner
What choice is made will influence our future plans.
She considered whatever solution they proposed.
Whichever option you choose will be best for the team.
Nominal relative adverb
I don’t know when megalodon went extinct.
Where they plan to build the park is still under discussion.
Why you are late doesn’t matter if you finish the work in time.
This proverb tells how you can perform a task efficiently.