Relative pronouns are essential for constructing complex sentences and adding detail to your writing and speech. They act as bridges, connecting clauses and providing additional information about nouns.
Understanding relative pronouns is crucial for anyone aiming to improve their English fluency and grammatical accuracy. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of relative pronouns, covering their definition, types, usage rules, common mistakes, and advanced applications.
Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, this article will equip you with the knowledge and practice needed to master relative pronouns.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definition of Relative Pronouns
- Structural Breakdown
- Types of Relative Pronouns
- Examples of Relative Pronouns
- Usage Rules for Relative Pronouns
- Common Mistakes with Relative Pronouns
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Definition of Relative Pronouns
A relative pronoun is a type of pronoun that introduces a relative clause. A relative clause is a dependent clause that modifies a noun or pronoun in the main clause. In simpler terms, relative pronouns connect a descriptive clause to a noun. They “relate” the clause to the noun it modifies.
Relative pronouns serve two crucial functions: they act as pronouns, referring back to a noun or pronoun (the antecedent), and they act as conjunctions, connecting the relative clause to the main clause. This dual role is what makes them so useful for adding detail and complexity to sentences.
The most common relative pronouns in English are who, whom, whose, which, and that. Each pronoun has specific uses based on the type of noun it refers to and the role it plays within the relative clause. Choosing the correct relative pronoun is essential for clear and grammatically correct writing.
Structural Breakdown
Understanding the structure of sentences with relative pronouns involves recognizing the main clause and the relative clause. The main clause is the core part of the sentence that can stand alone.
The relative clause, introduced by the relative pronoun, provides additional information about a noun or pronoun in the main clause.
The basic structure is: Main Clause + Relative Pronoun + Relative Clause. The relative pronoun typically appears at the beginning of the relative clause, followed by a verb and any other necessary elements. The entire relative clause functions as an adjective, modifying the noun it follows.
Consider the sentence: “The book that I borrowed from the library is very interesting.” Here, “The book is very interesting” is the main clause, and “that I borrowed from the library” is the relative clause. The relative pronoun “that” connects the two clauses and refers back to the noun “book.”
The placement of the relative clause is also important. It usually appears immediately after the noun it modifies to avoid ambiguity.
However, in some cases, the relative clause can be separated from the noun by other elements, particularly in more complex sentences. Understanding this structure is key to correctly using and interpreting sentences with relative pronouns.
Types of Relative Pronouns
English has several relative pronouns, each with its specific usage. Here’s a breakdown of the most common ones:
Who
Who is used to refer to people. It is used when the relative pronoun is the subject of the relative clause. It cannot be used to refer to things or animals.
Example: “The woman who lives next door is a doctor.” In this sentence, “who” refers to “woman” and is the subject of the verb “lives.”
Whom
Whom is also used to refer to people, but it is used when the relative pronoun is the object of the verb or a preposition in the relative clause. In modern English, “who” is often used in place of “whom,” especially in informal contexts. However, using “whom” is still considered more grammatically correct in formal writing.
Example: “The man whom I saw yesterday is my uncle.” Here, “whom” refers to “man” and is the object of the verb “saw.”
Whose
Whose is a possessive relative pronoun. It is used to show ownership or belonging, and it can refer to both people and things. “Whose” indicates that the noun following it belongs to the noun it modifies.
Example: “The car whose engine is broken is being repaired.” In this sentence, “whose” refers to “car” and indicates that the engine belongs to the car.
Which
Which is used to refer to things and animals. It cannot be used to refer to people. “Which” is often used in nonrestrictive clauses (more on this later), which provide additional, non-essential information.
Example: “The house, which is very old, needs renovations.” Here, “which” refers to “house.”
That
That can refer to people, things, or animals. It is often used in restrictive clauses, which are essential to the meaning of the sentence. “That” is generally considered more informal than “who” or “which,” but it is widely used and often preferred in certain contexts.
Example: “The book that I recommended is a bestseller.” In this sentence, “that” refers to “book.”
Examples of Relative Pronouns
To solidify your understanding, let’s explore numerous examples of each relative pronoun in various contexts. This will help you see how they function in different types of sentences and clauses.
The following tables provide a comprehensive set of examples, each illustrating the specific use of a relative pronoun.
Table 1: Examples Using “Who”
This table showcases the use of “who” in various sentences, focusing on its function as the subject of the relative clause and its reference to people.
| Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| The student who studies diligently always performs well. | “Who” refers to “student” and is the subject of “studies.” |
| The doctor who treated me was very kind. | “Who” refers to “doctor” and is the subject of “treated.” |
| I know a man who can speak five languages. | “Who” refers to “man” and is the subject of “can speak.” |
| She is the artist who painted this masterpiece. | “Who” refers to “artist” and is the subject of “painted.” |
| The people who volunteered deserve our gratitude. | “Who” refers to “people” and is the subject of “volunteered.” |
| He is the teacher who inspired me the most. | “Who” refers to “teacher” and is the subject of “inspired.” |
| The woman who answered the phone was very helpful. | “Who” refers to “woman” and is the subject of “answered.” |
| The children who played in the park were having fun. | “Who” refers to “children” and is the subject of “played.” |
| The scientist who made the discovery won a Nobel Prize. | “Who” refers to “scientist” and is the subject of “made.” |
| The musician who wrote the song became famous overnight. | “Who” refers to “musician” and is the subject of “wrote.” |
| The athlete who won the race broke a new record. | “Who” refers to “athlete” and is the subject of “won.” |
| The author who wrote the book is coming to our school. | “Who” refers to “author” and is the subject of “wrote.” |
| The chef who cooked the meal received many compliments. | “Who” refers to “chef” and is the subject of “cooked.” |
| The engineer who designed the bridge is highly respected. | “Who” refers to “engineer” and is the subject of “designed.” |
| The dancer who performed last night was amazing. | “Who” refers to “dancer” and is the subject of “performed.” |
| The lawyer who defended the client is highly skilled. | “Who” refers to “lawyer” and is the subject of “defended.” |
| The nurse who cared for the patient was very compassionate. | “Who” refers to “nurse” and is the subject of “cared.” |
| The pilot who flew the plane landed safely. | “Who” refers to “pilot” and is the subject of “flew.” |
| The librarian who helped me find the book was very knowledgeable. | “Who” refers to “librarian” and is the subject of “helped.” |
| The programmer who developed the app is very talented. | “Who” refers to “programmer” and is the subject of “developed.” |
Table 2: Examples Using “Whom”
This table provides examples of “whom,” highlighting its function as the object of a verb or preposition within the relative clause. Notice how “whom” often follows prepositions.
| Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| The man whom I saw at the store is my neighbor. | “Whom” refers to “man” and is the object of “saw.” |
| The woman whom he loves is a talented musician. | “Whom” refers to “woman” and is the object of “loves.” |
| The candidate whom the committee selected is highly qualified. | “Whom” refers to “candidate” and is the object of “selected.” |
| The author whom everyone admires is giving a lecture. | “Whom” refers to “author” and is the object of “admires.” |
| The person to whom I spoke was very helpful. | “Whom” refers to “person” and is the object of the preposition “to.” |
| The employee whom the manager promoted is very dedicated. | “Whom” refers to “employee” and is the object of “promoted.” |
| The artist whom the gallery showcased is gaining recognition. | “Whom” refers to “artist” and is the object of “showcased.” |
| The student whom the professor recommended is applying to graduate school. | “Whom” refers to “student” and is the object of “recommended.” |
| The leader whom the people elected is committed to change. | “Whom” refers to “leader” and is the object of “elected.” |
| The actor whom the director cast is very talented. | “Whom” refers to “actor” and is the object of “cast.” |
| The singer whom the audience applauded gave an encore. | “Whom” refers to “singer” and is the object of “applauded.” |
| The chef whom the critics praised owns a popular restaurant. | “Whom” refers to “chef” and is the object of “praised.” |
| The architect whom the company hired designed a beautiful building. | “Whom” refers to “architect” and is the object of “hired.” |
| The detective whom the police trusted solved the case. | “Whom” refers to “detective” and is the object of “trusted.” |
| The journalist whom the editor assigned wrote a compelling article. | “Whom” refers to “journalist” and is the object of “assigned.” |
| The volunteer whom the organization honored dedicated many hours. | “Whom” refers to “volunteer” and is the object of “honored.” |
| The mentor whom the protégé admired provided valuable guidance. | “Whom” refers to “mentor” and is the object of “admired.” |
| The consultant whom the firm employed offered expert advice. | “Whom” refers to “consultant” and is the object of “employed.” |
| The technician whom the team relied on fixed the equipment. | “Whom” refers to “technician” and is the object of “relied on.” |
| The ambassador whom the country welcomed fostered international relations. | “Whom” refers to “ambassador” and is the object of “welcomed.” |
| The scientist about whom the article was written made a breakthrough discovery. | “Whom” refers to “scientist” and is the object of the preposition “about.” |
Table 3: Examples Using “Whose”
This table demonstrates the use of “whose” to indicate possession or belonging, applicable to both people and things. Note how “whose” connects the noun it modifies to the noun that follows it, showing ownership.
| Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| The student whose essay won the competition is very talented. | “Whose” indicates that the essay belongs to the student. |
| The car whose tires were flat was parked on the street. | “Whose” indicates that the tires belong to the car. |
| The author whose book became a bestseller is signing copies. | “Whose” indicates that the book belongs to the author. |
| The company whose profits increased is expanding its operations. | “Whose” indicates that the profits belong to the company. |
| The building whose roof is leaking needs repair. | “Whose” indicates that the roof belongs to the building. |
| The family whose house was damaged received help from the community. | “Whose” indicates that the house belongs to the family. |
| The tree whose branches are swaying is very old. | “Whose” indicates that the branches belong to the tree. |
| The organization whose mission is to help others is hosting a fundraiser. | “Whose” indicates that the mission belongs to the organization. |
| The city whose streets are clean is a pleasant place to live. | “Whose” indicates that the streets belong to the city. |
| The project whose deadline is approaching requires immediate attention. | “Whose” indicates that the deadline belongs to the project. |
| The team whose performance improved won the championship. | “Whose” indicates that the performance belongs to the team. |
| The system whose security was compromised needs an update. | “Whose” indicates that the security belongs to the system. |
| The country whose economy is growing is attracting investors. | “Whose” indicates that the economy belongs to the country. |
| The artwork whose value is increasing is stored in a vault. | “Whose” indicates that the value belongs to the artwork. |
| The experiment whose results are promising is being published. | “Whose” indicates that the results belong to the experiment. |
| The program whose purpose is education is well-funded. | “Whose” indicates that the purpose belongs to the program. |
| The invention whose patent is pending has great potential. | “Whose” indicates that the patent belongs to the invention. |
| The recipe whose ingredients are fresh makes a delicious dish. | “Whose” indicates that the ingredients belong to the recipe. |
| The strategy whose goal is sustainability is gaining support. | “Whose” indicates that the goal belongs to the strategy. |
| The device whose battery is long-lasting is very popular. | “Whose” indicates that the battery belongs to the device. |
| The organization, whose members are dedicated, is making a difference. | “Whose” indicates that the members belong to the organization. |
Table 4: Examples Using “Which”
This table illustrates the use of “which” to refer to things and animals, particularly in nonrestrictive clauses, which add extra information. Observe the commas that often set off the relative clause introduced by “which.”
| Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| The car, which is parked outside, is mine. | “Which” refers to “car,” and the clause is nonrestrictive. |
| The dog, which is a golden retriever, is very friendly. | “Which” refers to “dog,” and the clause is nonrestrictive. |
| The house, which has a large garden, is for sale. | “Which” refers to “house,” and the clause is nonrestrictive. |
| The book, which I found at the library, is very interesting. | “Which” refers to “book,” and the clause is nonrestrictive. |
| The city, which is known for its history, attracts many tourists. | “Which” refers to “city,” and the clause is nonrestrictive. |
| The painting, which was created by a famous artist, is priceless. | “Which” refers to “painting,” and the clause is nonrestrictive. |
| The computer, which I bought last week, is already malfunctioning. | “Which” refers to “computer,” and the clause is nonrestrictive. |
| The company, which is based in New York, is expanding globally. | “Which” refers to “company,” and the clause is nonrestrictive. |
| The movie, which was released last year, won several awards. | “Which” refers to “movie,” and the clause is nonrestrictive. |
| The restaurant, which serves Italian food, is very popular. | “Which” refers to “restaurant,” and the clause is nonrestrictive. |
| The project, which is nearing completion, is expected to be successful. | “Which” refers to “project,” and the clause is nonrestrictive. |
| The software, which I use daily, is very efficient. | “Which” refers to “software,” and the clause is nonrestrictive. |
| The system, which is designed for security, is being tested. | “Which” refers to “system,” and the clause is nonrestrictive. |
| The machine, which is used for manufacturing, is very precise. | “Which” refers to “machine,” and the clause is nonrestrictive. |
| The application, which is available on both platforms, is widely used. | “Which” refers to “application,” and the clause is nonrestrictive. |
| The device, which is newly invented, has great potential. | “Which” refers to “device,” and the clause is nonrestrictive. |
| The program, which I downloaded yesterday, seems useful. | “Which” refers to “program,” and the clause is nonrestrictive. |
| The experiment, which is ongoing, promises interesting results. | “Which” refers to “experiment,” and the clause is nonrestrictive. |
| The event, which is happening this weekend, is highly anticipated. | “Which” refers to “event,” and the clause is nonrestrictive. |
| The course, which I am taking online, is very informative. | “Which” refers to “course,” and the clause is nonrestrictive. |
| The cat, which is sleeping on the couch, is very fluffy. | “Which” refers to “cat,” and the clause is nonrestrictive. |
Table 5: Examples Using “That”
This table focuses on “that,” which can refer to people, things, or animals, particularly in restrictive clauses. Notice the absence of commas, as these clauses are essential to the meaning of the sentence.
| Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| The book that I borrowed from the library is very interesting. | “That” refers to “book,” and the clause is restrictive. |
| The person that helped me was very kind. | “That” refers to “person,” and the clause is restrictive. |
| The car that I want to buy is very expensive. | “That” refers to “car,” and the clause is restrictive. |
| The movie that we watched last night was amazing. | “That” refers to “movie,” and the clause is restrictive. |
| The song that I heard on the radio is stuck in my head. | “That” refers to “song,” and the clause is restrictive. |
| The phone that I bought yesterday is already broken. | “That” refers to “phone,” and the clause is restrictive. |
| The house that is on the corner is for sale. | “That” refers to “house,” and the clause is restrictive. |
| The computer that I use for work is very reliable. | “That” refers to “computer,” and the clause is restrictive. |
| The restaurant that serves the best pizza is always crowded. | “That” refers to “restaurant,” and the clause is restrictive. |
| The coffee that I drink every morning helps me wake up. | “That” refers to “coffee,” and the clause is restrictive. |
| The shoes that I wore to the party were very uncomfortable. | “That” refers to “shoes,” and the clause is restrictive. |
| The jacket that I left at the office is my favorite. | “That” refers to “jacket,” and the clause is restrictive. |
| The bag that I carried on the trip was very heavy. | “That” refers to “bag,” and the clause is restrictive. |
| The plant that I watered yesterday is blooming. | “That” refers to “plant,” and the clause is restrictive. |
| The toy that the child loves is very old. | “That” refers to “toy,” and the clause is restrictive. |
| The game that we played last night was very fun. | “That” refers to “game,” and the clause is restrictive. |
| The lesson that I learned today was very valuable. | “That” refers to “lesson,” and the clause is restrictive. |
| The project that I am working on is very challenging. | “That” refers to “project,” and the clause is restrictive. |
| The idea that I had yesterday is very innovative. | “That” refers to “idea,” and the clause is restrictive. |
| The plan that we discussed is very detailed. | “That” refers to “plan,” and the clause is restrictive. |
| The animal that I saw at the zoo was very impressive. | “That” refers to “animal,” and the clause is restrictive. |
Usage Rules for Relative Pronouns
Using relative pronouns correctly involves understanding several key rules. These rules govern which pronoun to use in different situations and how to structure sentences effectively.
Restrictive vs. Nonrestrictive Clauses
Restrictive clauses are essential for identifying the noun they modify. They provide necessary information that limits or defines the noun. Without a restrictive clause, the meaning of the sentence would be unclear or incomplete. Restrictive clauses are not set off by commas.
Example: “The book that I borrowed from the library is overdue.” The clause “that I borrowed from the library” is essential for identifying which book is overdue. Without it, we wouldn’t know which book is being referred to.
Nonrestrictive clauses provide additional, non-essential information about the noun they modify. They add extra detail but are not crucial for understanding the main point of the sentence. Nonrestrictive clauses are always set off by commas.
Example: “The book, which is a bestseller, is very interesting.” The clause “which is a bestseller” provides extra information about the book, but it’s not essential for understanding that the book is interesting. We would still understand the sentence even without this clause.
The choice between using “that” and “which” often depends on whether the clause is restrictive or nonrestrictive. “That” is typically used in restrictive clauses, while “which” is used in nonrestrictive clauses.
Prepositions and Relative Pronouns
Prepositions can appear before relative pronouns in certain constructions. In formal English, prepositions often precede “whom” or “which.” In less formal English, the preposition may be moved to the end of the relative clause.
Formal: “The person to whom I spoke was very helpful.”
Informal: “The person who I spoke to was very helpful.”
When using “that,” the preposition must always be moved to the end of the relative clause. It is not grammatically correct to place a preposition before “that.”
Correct: “The house that I live in is small.”
Incorrect: “The house in that I live is small.”
Omitting Relative Pronouns
In certain cases, relative pronouns can be omitted, particularly when they are the object of the verb in the relative clause. This is common in informal English and can make sentences more concise.
Example: “The book I read was fascinating.” Here, the relative pronoun “that” has been omitted. The full sentence would be, “The book that I read was fascinating.”
However, relative pronouns cannot be omitted when they are the subject of the relative clause. For example, you cannot omit “who” in the sentence “The woman who is speaking is my mother.”
Common Mistakes with Relative Pronouns
Even experienced English speakers sometimes make mistakes with relative pronouns. Here are some common errors to avoid:
Using “who” to refer to things or animals:
Incorrect: “The car who is parked outside is mine.”
Correct: “The car which is parked outside is mine.”
Using “which” in restrictive clauses without commas:
Incorrect: “The book which I borrowed is overdue.”
Correct: “The book that I borrowed is overdue.” OR “The book, which is a bestseller, is overdue.”
Incorrectly placing prepositions before “that”:
Incorrect: “The house in that I live is small.”
Correct: “The house that I live in is small.”
Omitting relative pronouns when they are the subject of the relative clause:
Incorrect: “The woman is speaking is my mother.”
Correct: “The woman who is speaking is my mother.”
Confusing “who” and “whom”:
Incorrect: “The man who I saw is my neighbor.”
Correct: “The man whom I saw is my neighbor.” (Formal) OR “The man who I saw is my neighbor.” (Informal)
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding of relative pronouns with these exercises. Choose the correct relative pronoun to complete each sentence.
Exercise 1: Choose the correct relative pronoun (who, whom, whose, which, that).
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. The woman ______ lives next door is a doctor. | who |
| 2. The book ______ I borrowed from the library is very interesting. | that |
| 3. The car, ______ is parked outside, is mine. | which |
| 4. The man ______ I saw at the store is my neighbor. | whom |
| 5. The student ______ essay won the competition is very talented. | whose |
| 6. The dog ______ barked at me was very small. | that |
| 7. The teacher ______ I admire the most is retiring. | whom |
| 8. The house, ______ has a large garden, is for sale. | which |
| 9. The person ______ helped me was very kind. | who |
| 10. The company ______ profits increased is expanding. | whose |
Exercise 2: Combine the sentences using a relative pronoun.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. The car is parked outside. It is mine. | The car that is parked outside is mine. |
| 2. The woman lives next door. She is a doctor. | The woman who lives next door is a doctor. |
| 3. The book is very interesting. I borrowed it from the library. | The book that I borrowed from the library is very interesting. |
| 4. The man is my neighbor. I saw him at the store. | The man whom I saw at the store is my neighbor. |
| 5. The student is very talented. Her essay won the competition. | The student whose essay won the competition is very talented. |
Exercise 3: Identify and correct the mistakes in the following sentences.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. The car who is parked outside is mine. | The car which is parked outside is mine. |
| 2. The book which I borrowed is overdue. | The book that I borrowed is overdue. |
| 3. The house in that I live is small. | The house that I live in is small. |
| 4. The woman is speaking is my mother. | The woman who is speaking is my mother. |
| 5. The man who I saw is my neighbor. | The man whom I saw is my neighbor. |
Advanced Topics
For those looking to deepen their understanding of relative pronouns, here are some advanced topics:
Relative Adverbs
Relative adverbs (where, when, why) function similarly to relative pronouns but modify nouns related to place, time, or reason. They introduce relative clauses that provide additional information about these nouns.
Where: Refers to a place.
Example: “The restaurant where we ate is now closed.”
When: Refers to a time.
Example: “I remember the day when we first met.”
Why: Refers to a reason.
Example: “I don’t know the reason why she left.”
Pied Piping
Pied piping is a term used to describe the movement of a preposition along with its relative pronoun to the beginning of a relative clause. This is a formal construction and is typically used in writing rather than in spoken English.
Example: “The project for which we need funding is very important.” In this sentence, the preposition “for” moves with the relative pronoun “which” to the beginning of the clause.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I always use “that” instead of “who” or “which”?
While “that” can often replace “who” or “which” in restrictive clauses, it’s not always the best choice. “Who” is generally preferred when referring to people, and “which” is preferred in nonrestrictive clauses.
Using “that” in all cases can sound less formal.
Is it okay to end a sentence with a preposition?
Ending a sentence with a preposition was once considered grammatically incorrect, but it is now widely accepted, especially in informal English. When using relative pronouns, it’s often more natural to place the preposition at the end of the clause.
How do I know when to use “who” vs. “whom”?
Use “who” when the relative pronoun is the subject of the clause and “whom” when it is the object. If you can replace the pronoun with “he” or “she,” use “who.” If you can replace it with “him” or “her,” use “whom.” However, in modern English, “who” is often used in place of “whom,” especially in informal contexts.
Are relative pronouns necessary?
Relative pronouns are essential for creating complex sentences and adding detail to your writing. While you can sometimes omit them, using them correctly enhances clarity and grammatical accuracy.
Conclusion
Mastering relative pronouns is a crucial step in enhancing your English language skills. By understanding their definitions, types, usage rules, and common mistakes, you can construct clearer, more complex sentences and improve your overall communication.
Practice the exercises provided, and continue to explore advanced topics to deepen your knowledge. With dedication and practice, you’ll become proficient in using relative pronouns effectively.