Hi sir,
I am currently studying the different types of determiners and I got stuck in relative markers used as determiners. Things got mixed up in my grey matter while trying to analyze sentences.
Just want to ask for clarification about my observation on the relative markers function in a sentence. For this inquiry, I would refer to the group of Relative Pronouns as Relative Markers so as to avoid confusion to our forum members as this Relative Markers assume different functions in a sentence depending on context. I'd like to find out if their functions can be defined by how they are structured in sentences.
A relative marker can function as a determiner and as a pronoun in a sentence. My understanding of a relative marker used as a determiner is that it should premodify noun (same with the other types of determiner) as in the structure below:
Determiner + Noun
The girl in the mirror is my friend
Where: The words "the" and "my" premodify the nouns that follow them.
This is the same pattern/structure that I am also expecting from a relative determiner.
Also, for a relative marker to function as a determiner it must satisfy the requirements
in writing an adjective clause and those are:
1. There should be a relative marker.
2. There should be a subject and a verb following the marker.
3. The clause formed should answer what, which, how many and how much.
Structure: Noun + Relative marker + Noun + subject
Examples: They predicted THAT john would have to resign.
I will show you which house is mine.
I'll take whatever money they've got
Other examples are:
The tree, WHOSE branches were all dry, had to be cut down.
That is the man WHOSE dog was in your yard
As a pronoun, the relative marker can de identified by its two structures:
A. Noun + Relative Markers + Verb
An atheist is a man WHO HAS no invisible means of support.
The woman WHO called me yesterday was my mother.
The man THAT CAME to the office yesterday was my brother.
I told you about the woman WHO LIVES next door.
B. Noun + Relative Marker + Personal Pronoun + Verb
The bike that I bought last week was stolen.
The example under B is a relative marker which is pronoun in function.
THAT modifies the noun bike.
Questions: Are my observations correct?
Also please see the given sentences below:
A. Although I respected what the teacher said, I disagreed with his conclusion.
"What the teacher said" is a noun clause. Can we say that for noun clauses, if
the relative marker precedes a noun it's function is a determiner.
B. Anyone who says that English teachers are boring will be punished.
"Who says that English teachers are boring" is a relative clause. WHO functions only as
relative pronoun.
" That English teachers are boring" is a noun clause. That functions as a determiner.
Question: Have I properly Identified the functions of determiners in the given examples sir?
Follow-up: What about in the below construction sir?
What I need is love.
"What I need" is a noun clause but the word that follows " What" is a pronoun. Is
the word " What" determinative in function? If not, what is the function of the word
"What" in the given statement above?
Thank you sir.
