The antecedents of the pronouns what, whatever, whoever, and whichever are generally omitted. For example, we say, I have what you are looking for, instead of, I have that what you are looking for; and Whoever goes to town should get the mail, instead of, He whoever goes to town should get the mail. The antecedents should be supplied in analyzing the sentences.

Exercise 181

Supply the antecedents of the conjunctive pronouns in these sentences.

1. I believe what you say.

2. Show me what you had for Christmas.

3. Give the child what she is crying for.

4. She took whatever pleased her.

5. Whoever leaves last should lock the door.

6. Whatever she reads she remembers.

7. She spoke of what she had done.

Exercise 182

Describe each conjunctive pronoun. Give clearly both of its uses. Explain why some of the adjective clauses are set off by the comma and others are not (§ 120).

Model I have kept the gift which you sent me.

The word which is a conjunctive pronoun. As a connective it joins the limiting adjective clause, which you sent me, to the noun gift. As a pronoun it is used as the object of the verb sent.

1. Those who are best loved by the angels receive not a throne but a task.

2. The chipmunk is another of our neighbors whom we shall see in warm weather only.

3. She gave away what she did not need.

4. He has hard work who has nothing to do.

5. The old lady, who looked very sad, smiled when she saw the old-fashioned flowers.

6. The bird whose whistle we heard is a cardinal.

7. The acreage of forage crops, which include all kinds of herbage used as food for domestic animals, is increasing rapidly.

8. The orchard from which the fruit was gathered is seven years old.

9. A variety of wheat has been produced which is never attacked by rust.

10. There is an old chipmunk neighbor of mine with whom I am on intimate terms.

11. The first shaft that he shot split the stake on which the garland hung.

12. I once had a red squirrel who lived in a vase on the mantelpiece of my study.

13. He entered the chamber, from which he brought a bag of gold which he gave to Little John.

14. I wish to hear what you have to say.

15. The currants I used for this jelly were not entirely ripe. (Here the conjunctive pronoun is omitted).

16. The strangers in whose company we made the journey were kind to us.

17. And Peter left the brother, with whom all day he had played, And the sister who had watched their sports, In the willow's tender shade.

18. Wild grapes, which make excellent jelly, were scarce this year.

19. I will take whichever you do not want.

20. They are slaves who fear to speak For the fallen and the weak.

21. It was a motley company that gathered about the noble greenwood tree in Sherwood forest that day. (Read the sentence without the clause and see why it is put in).

22. He was ashamed of what had happened.

23. Plan a color scheme for the whole house in which violent contrasts will be avoided and restful harmonies will be encouraged.

Exercise 183. Development

Change the italicized pronouns or nouns to the pronouns in parentheses. What is the effect of the change? In some cases you will wish to make other changes.

1. This is the best book in the list, (which)

2. You have seen this, (what)

3. Mother has written to her. (whom)

4. Anna said Mary was offended, (who)

5. She exclaimed, You wrote that letter, (who)

6. Mary said that flower is a poppy, (what)