[Grammar] I have many relatives whom I never met.

[wotcha]

"I have many relatives whom I never met."

Is an antecedent in this sentence 'many relatives' or 'relatives'?

 

[bhaisahab]

"I have many relatives whom I never met."

Is an antecedent in this sentence 'many relatives' or 'relatives'?

The sentence doesn't make sense. Ether you had many relatives that you never met, or, you have many relatives that you have never met.

 

[Finicky]

The sentence doesn't make sense. Ether you had many relatives that you never met, or, you have many relatives that you have never met.

To me, and in terms of (coherent) meaning, these two sentences:

1. I have many relatives whom/that I have never met.

and

2. I have many relatives whom/that I [STRIKE]have[/STRIKE] never met.

, are one. Could you, who disagree, please elaborate on your thinking?

​

I have many relatives whom I never met."

Is an antecedent in this sentence 'many relatives' or 'relatives'?​

The antecedent of 'whom' is the whole noun phrase, 'many relatives'.

Tsüss!

​

 

[Jenniferhu]

I think it has something to do with tense agreement. Past + past or present + present perfect is only acceptable in this circumstance....Right?

 

[5jj]

1. I have many relatives whom/that I have never met.

In BrE, 'never' in this sentence covers a period of time extending up to the present moment, and so the present perfect is appropriate.

2. I have many relatives whom/that I [STRIKE]have[/STRIKE] never met.

'Have' being present tense, and 'met' past, this sentence would be natural in BrE only if we specified a past time period, for example:

I have many relatives whom I never met during my childhood.
​

 

[KEN JPN]

I guess you asked this question wondering the difference below:

1, I have many relatives, and I have never met any of them.
2, I have met some relatives, but I have not met many yet.

For the meaning #1,
I have many relatives, whom I have never met.
"whom" here = all of the many relatives
The antecedent of "whom" here is "many relatives".

For the meaning #2,
I have many relatives whom I have never met (while I have already met some others).
The antecedent of "whom" here is "relatives."


Another instance:

3, He has three sons who are doctors.
4, He has three sons, who are doctors.

Sentence #3 means he has more than three sons and that three of them are doctors.
Sentence #4 means he has only three sons and that all of them are doctors.
So, the antecedent of the 'who' in #3 is 'sons'; 'three sons' in #4.