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Relative pronouns in complex sentences Exercises in Galician language

Three students refining language skills at library desk.

Relative pronouns are essential components of complex sentences in the Galician language, serving to connect dependent clauses to main clauses and provide additional information about a noun. These pronouns, such as "que" (that/who/which), "quen" (who/whom), and "o cal/a cal/os cales/as cales" (which), help to create more detailed and nuanced sentences. Understanding how to properly use relative pronouns not only enhances your ability to communicate more effectively in Galician but also deepens your comprehension of the language’s structure and syntax. In Galician, relative pronouns must agree in gender and number with the nouns they refer to, adding a layer of complexity to their usage. For example, "que" is often used as a general relative pronoun, while "o cal" and its variations are used in more formal contexts or to avoid ambiguity. Mastering these distinctions is crucial for achieving fluency and precision in Galician. In this section, you will find a variety of exercises designed to help you practice and perfect your use of relative pronouns in complex sentences, ensuring that you can confidently and accurately convey your thoughts and ideas.

Exercise 1

1. A rapaza *que* vive na casa azul é a miña irmá (relative pronoun for "who"). 2. O libro *que* lin onte era moi interesante (relative pronoun for "which" or "that"). 3. A cidade *onde* nacín é moi pequena (relative pronoun for "where"). 4. O xardín *que* hai detrás da casa é precioso (relative pronoun for "which" or "that"). 5. O home *que* viste onte é o meu veciño (relative pronoun for "who"). 6. A película *que* vimos foi moi divertida (relative pronoun for "which" or "that"). 7. A razón *pola que* non fun á festa foi porque estaba enfermo (relative pronoun for "why"). 8. O coche *que* compramos é eléctrico (relative pronoun for "which" or "that"). 9. O lugar *onde* traballo é moi tranquilo (relative pronoun for "where"). 10. A clase *que* me gusta máis é a de historia (relative pronoun for "which" or "that").

Exercise 2

1. O libro *que* lin era moi interesante (relative pronoun for "that" in reference to a book). 2. A persoa *que* viu o accidente chamou á policía (relative pronoun for "who" in reference to a person). 3. A cidade *onde* nacín é fermosa (relative pronoun for "where" in reference to a place). 4. A razón *pola cal* non puiden ir foi unha enfermidade (relative pronoun for "why" in reference to a reason). 5. A casa *na que* vivimos é moi antiga (relative pronoun for "in which" in reference to a house). 6. A comida *que* fixeches estaba deliciosa (relative pronoun for "that" in reference to food). 7. A nena *coa que* xogaba é a miña irmá (relative pronoun for "with whom" in reference to a child). 8. O momento *en que* nos coñecemos foi especial (relative pronoun for "when" in reference to a moment). 9. O coche *que* compramos é vermello (relative pronoun for "that" in reference to a car). 10. O problema *do cal* falamos é complicado (relative pronoun for "about which" in reference to a problem).

Exercise 3

1. O libro *que* estou lendo é moi interesante (Relative pronoun for "that"). 2. A muller *que* viste onte é a miña profesora (Relative pronoun for "who"). 3. A cidade *onde* nacín é moi fermosa (Relative pronoun for "where"). 4. A casa *na que* vivimos é moi antiga (Relative pronoun for "in which"). 5. O coche *que* mercamos é novo (Relative pronoun for "which"). 6. A razón *pola que* non viñen é porque estaba enfermo (Relative pronoun for "why"). 7. O libro *que* me recomendaches é moi bo (Relative pronoun for "that"). 8. A xente *que* coñezo é moi amable (Relative pronoun for "whom"). 9. O lugar *onde* traballo está lonxe (Relative pronoun for "where"). 10. A persoa *cuxa* casa está ao lado da miña é moi simpática (Relative pronoun for "whose").