what is it?
A relative clause modifies a noun (the antecedent) and is introduced by a relative pronoun. The relative pronoun takes its gender and number from the antecedent, but its case from the grammatical role it plays inside the relative clause. At B1, three situations require forms beyond the basic nominative/accusative: the pronoun functions as an indirect object (dative), as a genitive modifier, or it follows a preposition that governs its case.
when to use it
Dative: Use a dative relative pronoun when the pronoun is the indirect object of the verb inside the relative clause, or when it follows a verb or adjective that requires the dative (e.g. helfen, danken).
Genitive: Use a genitive relative pronoun (dessen / deren) when the pronoun expresses possession or a genitive relationship — equivalent to «whose» in English.
With a preposition: Use a preposition + relative pronoun when the verb or adjective inside the relative clause requires a prepositional phrase. The preposition moves to the front of the pronoun; the pronoun's case is determined by the preposition.
formation
The relative pronoun paradigm closely mirrors the definite article, with a small number of distinct endings in the dative and genitive. The table below covers all genders and the plural for the cases relevant to this topic.
| case | masculine | feminine | neuter | plural |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nominative | der | die | das | die |
| accusative | den | die | das | die |
| dative | dem | der | dem | denen |
| genitive | dessen | deren | dessen | deren |
Dative plural: The dative plural form denen is unique — it does not match the definite article den. Use it only when the antecedent is plural.
Preposition + pronoun: Place the preposition directly before the relative pronoun. The pronoun's case follows the preposition as normal. The verb stays at the end of the relative clause.
die Stadt, in der ich wohne — in governs dative → feminine dative der
Genitive pronoun + noun: After dessen or deren, the following noun takes no additional article: dessen Auto, not *dessen das Auto.
examples in context
common pitfalls
Stranding the preposition (English-style):
In English it is common to leave the preposition at the end: «the city that I live in». In German the preposition must come directly before the relative pronoun.
Wrong: *die Stadt, die ich wohne in
Correct: die Stadt, in der ich wohne
Choosing dessen/deren by the possessed noun instead of the antecedent:
The genitive pronoun agrees with the antecedent (the person or thing doing the possessing), not with the noun that follows it. der Mann is masculine → dessen, regardless of the gender of Auto.
Wrong: *der Mann, deren Auto vor der Tür steht
Correct: der Mann, dessen Auto vor der Tür steht
Using denen as a singular dative form:
denen is the dative plural only. For a singular dative, use dem (masculine/neuter) or der (feminine).
Wrong: *der Freund, denen ich helfe
Correct: der Freund, dem ich helfe
Three sentences, graded here. Nothing is saved and no account is needed.
Die Touristin, ___ ich die Kamera geliehen habe, fotografiert gerade den Marktplatz.
Fill in the blank with the correct relative pronoun.