Free Relative tko / što

Whoever and What as a Clause

Level 5

A free relative can mean “whoever,” “the person who,” or “what.” The whole clause fills a role such as subject or object.

How It Works

Tko introduces a person and što a thing or content: Uzmi što želiš. The clause can often be expanded with a demonstrative, such as ono što želiš, but that word is not always required.

The pronoun’s case follows its role within the relative: Koga pozoveš, taj može doći. Here koga is the object of inviting. The corresponding main-clause demonstrative taj has its own subject role.

Distinguish a free relative from an embedded question. Ne znam tko dolazi reports missing information, while Tko dođe, dobit će čaj refers to anyone meeting the condition. The same opening word does not guarantee the same clause function.

Examples (3)

  1. Tko želi sudjelovati, može se prijaviti danas.

    Anyone who wants to take part can register today.

  2. Uzmi što ti treba za put.

    Take what you need for the trip.

  3. Tko prvi završi, može pomoći ostalima.

    Whoever finishes first can help the others.

How It Connects

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Free Relative tko / štoLevel 5Whoever and What as a Clause

Learn This First

A relative clause can stand without an overt noun antecedent while retaining its internal participant role.

Words in This Pattern