Relative clauses in the accusative (которого, которую)

The Relative Pronoun as a Direct Object

When a relative pronoun acts as the direct object in its clause (e.g., "the manuscript which you found"), it takes the accusative case.

Remember the rule for который:

  • Gender and number come from the noun it describes.
  • Case comes from its role in the relative clause.

As always, separate relative clauses from the main sentence with commas.

Feminine Nouns

For feminine nouns, the accusative relative pronoun is которую.

Where is the manuscript which you found yesterday?
Где рукопись, которую вы нашли вчера?
I am looking at the seal which you are looking for.
Я смотрю на печать, которую вы ищете.

Masculine Inanimate Nouns

For masculine inanimate nouns (objects, concepts), the accusative form is identical to the nominative: который.

They found an old diary which we keep here.
Они нашли старый дневник, который мы здесь храним.
If you show the original which you found, then I will read the text.
Если вы покажете оригинал, который вы нашли, то я прочитаю текст.

Masculine Animate Nouns

For masculine animate nouns (people, animals), the accusative form takes the genitive ending: которого.

This is the historian whom I respect very much.
Это историк, которого я очень уважаю.
We know the historian whom you saw in the archive.
Мы знаем историка, которого вы видели в архиве.

Clauses in the Middle of a Sentence

If the relative clause interrupts the main sentence, place a comma both before and after it.

The manuscript which he is reading right now is unique.
Рукопись, которую он сейчас читает, уникальная.
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