Mastering Sentences with Relative Pronouns: A Comprehensive Guide

Relative pronouns are essential tools in the English language, allowing us to connect clauses and create more complex and informative sentences. Understanding how to use them correctly is crucial for clear and effective communication, both in writing and speaking.

This article provides a comprehensive guide to sentences with relative pronouns, covering their definition, types, usage rules, common mistakes, and advanced topics. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, this guide will help you master the art of using relative pronouns with confidence.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Definition of Relative Pronouns
• Structural Breakdown
• Types of Relative Pronouns
  • Who
  • Whom
  • Which
  • That
  • Whose
• Examples of Sentences with Relative Pronouns
  • Examples with “Who”
  • Examples with “Whom”
  • Examples with “Which”
  • Examples with “That”
  • Examples with “Whose”
• Usage Rules for Relative Pronouns
  • Restrictive vs. Nonrestrictive Clauses
  • Relative Pronouns with Prepositions
  • Omitting Relative Pronouns
• Common Mistakes with Relative Pronouns
• Practice Exercises
• Advanced Topics
  • Multiple Relative Clauses
  • Relative Pronouns as Subjects
• FAQ
• Conclusion

Definition of Relative Pronouns

A relative pronoun is a type of pronoun that connects a dependent clause to an independent clause. The dependent clause, also known as a relative clause or adjective clause, provides additional information about a noun or pronoun in the main clause.

In essence, a relative pronoun introduces a subordinate clause that modifies a noun. Relative pronouns help avoid repetition and create more concise and fluid sentences.

Relative pronouns serve two primary functions: they act as pronouns, standing in for a noun or pronoun, and they act as conjunctions, connecting the relative clause to the main clause. This dual role is what makes them such powerful tools in sentence construction. The noun or pronoun that the relative pronoun refers to is called the antecedent.

The main relative pronouns in English are who, whom, which, that, and whose. Each of these pronouns has specific uses depending on the type of noun it refers to (person or thing) and its function in the relative clause (subject, object, or possessive).

Structural Breakdown

Sentences with relative pronouns typically follow a specific structure. The basic structure involves a main clause followed by a relative clause introduced by a relative pronoun.

Understanding this structure is key to correctly using relative pronouns.

The general pattern is: Main Clause + Relative Pronoun + Relative Clause.

Let’s break down the components:

• Main Clause: This is the independent clause that can stand alone as a complete sentence. It contains a subject and a verb.
• Relative Pronoun: This pronoun introduces the relative clause and relates it to the antecedent in the main clause.
• Relative Clause: This is the dependent clause that provides additional information about the antecedent. It usually contains a subject and a verb, although the subject can sometimes be the relative pronoun itself.

For example, in the sentence “The book that I borrowed from the library is very interesting,” “The book is very interesting” is the main clause, “that” is the relative pronoun, and “that I borrowed from the library” is the relative clause.

Types of Relative Pronouns

There are five main relative pronouns in English: who, whom, which, that, and whose. Each has its own specific usage depending on whether it refers to a person or a thing and its function within the relative clause.

Who

Who is used to refer to people and is used as the subject of the relative clause. It introduces a clause that provides more information about a person mentioned in the main clause. When ‘who’ acts as the subject, it performs the action in the relative clause.

Whom

Whom is also used to refer to people, but it serves as the object of a verb or preposition in the relative clause. It is more formal than “who” and is becoming less common in everyday speech, often replaced by “who” or omitted entirely. It’s primarily used when the person is receiving the action within the relative clause.

Which

Which is used to refer to things or animals. It can be used in both restrictive and nonrestrictive clauses. A restrictive clause is essential to the meaning of the sentence, while a nonrestrictive clause provides additional, non-essential information and is set off by commas.

That

That can refer to both people and things. It is commonly used in restrictive clauses. While “that” can often be used interchangeably with “who” or “which” in certain contexts, it is generally preferred in restrictive clauses that define or identify the antecedent.

Whose

Whose is a possessive relative pronoun used to show ownership or belonging. It can refer to both people and things. It indicates that the noun following “whose” belongs to or is associated with the antecedent.

Examples of Sentences with Relative Pronouns

Understanding the different types of relative pronouns is essential, but seeing them in action is even more helpful. Here are several examples of sentences using who, whom, which, that, and whose, each illustrating their specific uses.

Examples with “Who”

The following table provides examples of sentences using the relative pronoun “who.” In each case, “who” refers to a person and acts as the subject of the relative clause.

Sentence	Explanation
The woman who lives next door is a doctor.	“Who” refers to “woman” and is the subject of the verb “lives.”
The student who scored the highest on the test received an award.	“Who” refers to “student” and is the subject of the verb “scored.”
My friend who is a talented musician is playing at the concert tonight.	“Who” refers to “friend” and is the subject of the verb “is.”
The chef who created this dish is famous for his innovative recipes.	“Who” refers to “chef” and is the subject of the verb “created.”
The teacher who taught me English inspired me to become a writer.	“Who” refers to “teacher” and is the subject of the verb “taught.”
The artist who painted this portrait is renowned for their attention to detail.	“Who” refers to “artist” and is the subject of the verb “painted.”
The athlete who won the gold medal trained for years.	“Who” refers to “athlete” and is the subject of the verb “won.”
The author who wrote that book is giving a lecture tomorrow.	“Who” refers to “author” and is the subject of the verb “wrote.”
The engineer who designed this bridge is a pioneer in the field.	“Who” refers to “engineer” and is the subject of the verb “designed.”
The volunteer who organized the event did an amazing job.	“Who” refers to “volunteer” and is the subject of the verb “organized.”
The singer who performed last night received a standing ovation.	“Who” refers to “singer” and is the subject of the verb “performed.”
The detective who solved the case is highly respected.	“Who” refers to “detective” and is the subject of the verb “solved.”
The doctor who treated my illness is very kind.	“Who” refers to “doctor” and is the subject of the verb “treated.”
The lawyer who defended him is known for their integrity.	“Who” refers to “lawyer” and is the subject of the verb “defended.”
The programmer who developed this software is highly skilled.	“Who” refers to “programmer” and is the subject of the verb “developed.”
The dancer who choreographed the routine is very creative.	“Who” refers to “dancer” and is the subject of the verb “choreographed.”
The journalist who reported the story won an award.	“Who” refers to “journalist” and is the subject of the verb “reported.”
The scientist who discovered the new element received international recognition.	“Who” refers to “scientist” and is the subject of the verb “discovered.”
The builder who constructed the house is very experienced.	“Who” refers to “builder” and is the subject of the verb “constructed.”
The counselor who helped me through a difficult time is very supportive.	“Who” refers to “counselor” and is the subject of the verb “helped.”

Examples with “Whom”

The following table provides examples of sentences using the relative pronoun “whom.” In these examples, “whom” refers to a person and acts as the object of a verb or preposition in the relative clause.

Sentence	Explanation
The man whom I saw yesterday is my uncle.	“Whom” refers to “man” and is the object of the verb “saw.”
The candidate whom the committee selected has extensive experience.	“Whom” refers to “candidate” and is the object of the verb “selected.”
The author whom I admire most is Jane Austen.	“Whom” refers to “author” and is the object of the verb “admire.”
The person whom you met at the party is a famous actor.	“Whom” refers to “person” and is the object of the verb “met.”
The employee whom the company hired is very efficient.	“Whom” refers to “employee” and is the object of the verb “hired.”
The artist whom the gallery represents is very talented.	“Whom” refers to “artist” and is the object of the verb “represents.”
The musician whom the audience applauded is a rising star.	“Whom” refers to “musician” and is the object of the verb “applauded.”
The scientist whom the research team consulted is a leading expert.	“Whom” refers to “scientist” and is the object of the verb “consulted.”
The architect whom the city commissioned is designing a new landmark.	“Whom” refers to “architect” and is the object of the verb “commissioned.”
The dancer whom the director chose is the lead performer.	“Whom” refers to “dancer” and is the object of the verb “chose.”
The journalist whom the editor assigned is investigating the story.	“Whom” refers to “journalist” and is the object of the verb “assigned.”
The detective whom the police department trusts is solving the case.	“Whom” refers to “detective” and is the object of the verb “trusts.”
The doctor whom the hospital employs is dedicated to patient care.	“Whom” refers to “doctor” and is the object of the verb “employs.”
The lawyer whom the client hired is preparing for the trial.	“Whom” refers to “lawyer” and is the object of the verb “hired.”
The programmer whom the tech company recruited is a coding expert.	“Whom” refers to “programmer” and is the object of the verb “recruited.”
The counselor whom the school appointed is helping students cope with stress.	“Whom” refers to “counselor” and is the object of the verb “appointed.”
The builder whom the developer selected is constructing the new building.	“Whom” refers to “builder” and is the object of the verb “selected.”
The volunteer whom the organization recognized is committed to community service.	“Whom” refers to “volunteer” and is the object of the verb “recognized.”
The singer whom the record label signed is releasing a new album.	“Whom” refers to “singer” and is the object of the verb “signed.”
The teacher whom the principal commended is dedicated to student success.	“Whom” refers to “teacher” and is the object of the verb “commended.”
The coach whom the team hired is focused on improving performance.	“Whom” refers to “coach” and is the object of the verb “hired.”
The chef whom the restaurant employed is creating new dishes.	“Whom” refers to “chef” and is the object of the verb “employed.”
The librarian whom the library appointed is organizing the collection.	“Whom” refers to “librarian” and is the object of the verb “appointed.”
The farmer whom the community supports is providing fresh produce.	“Whom” refers to “farmer” and is the object of the verb “supports.”

Examples with “Which”

The following table provides examples of sentences using the relative pronoun “which.” In these examples, “which” refers to things or animals.

Sentence	Explanation
The car, which is parked outside, belongs to my neighbor.	“Which” refers to “car” and introduces a nonrestrictive clause.
The book which I borrowed from the library is very interesting.	“Which” refers to “book” and introduces a restrictive clause.
The house, which has a beautiful garden, is for sale.	“Which” refers to “house” and introduces a nonrestrictive clause.
The phone which I bought last week is already broken.	“Which” refers to “phone” and introduces a restrictive clause.
The dog, which is a golden retriever, is very friendly.	“Which” refers to “dog” and introduces a nonrestrictive clause.
The computer which I use for work is very fast.	“Which” refers to “computer” and introduces a restrictive clause.
The painting, which was created by Van Gogh, is priceless.	“Which” refers to “painting” and introduces a nonrestrictive clause.
The movie which I saw last night was amazing.	“Which” refers to “movie” and introduces a restrictive clause.
The city, which is known for its architecture, is a popular tourist destination.	“Which” refers to “city” and introduces a nonrestrictive clause.
The song which I heard on the radio is now my favorite.	“Which” refers to “song” and introduces a restrictive clause.
The restaurant, which serves delicious food, is always crowded.	“Which” refers to “restaurant” and introduces a nonrestrictive clause.
The project which I am working on is due next week.	“Which” refers to “project” and introduces a restrictive clause.
The garden, which is full of flowers, is very peaceful.	“Which” refers to “garden” and introduces a nonrestrictive clause.
The game which I played yesterday was very challenging.	“Which” refers to “game” and introduces a restrictive clause.
The car, which is a vintage model, is very valuable.	“Which” refers to “car” and introduces a nonrestrictive clause.
The course which I am taking is very informative.	“Which” refers to “course” and introduces a restrictive clause.
The museum, which houses ancient artifacts, is very interesting.	“Which” refers to “museum” and introduces a nonrestrictive clause.
The article which I read online was very insightful.	“Which” refers to “article” and introduces a restrictive clause.
The lake, which is surrounded by mountains, is very scenic.	“Which” refers to “lake” and introduces a nonrestrictive clause.
The recipe which I found online is very easy to follow.	“Which” refers to “recipe” and introduces a restrictive clause.
The building, which is made of glass, is very modern.	“Which” refers to “building” and introduces a nonrestrictive clause.
The tool which I need for the job is in the garage.	“Which” refers to “tool” and introduces a restrictive clause.
The park, which has a playground, is popular with families.	“Which” refers to “park” and introduces a nonrestrictive clause.
The app which I downloaded is very useful.	“Which” refers to “app” and introduces a restrictive clause.

Examples with “That”

The following table provides examples of sentences using the relative pronoun “that.” “That” can refer to both people and things, especially in restrictive clauses.

Sentence	Explanation
The book that I borrowed from the library is very interesting.	“That” refers to “book” and introduces a restrictive clause.
The man that helped me yesterday was very kind.	“That” refers to “man” and introduces a restrictive clause.
The car that I bought last year is very reliable.	“That” refers to “car” and introduces a restrictive clause.
The movie that we watched last night was hilarious.	“That” refers to “movie” and introduces a restrictive clause.
The student that scored the highest will receive a scholarship.	“That” refers to “student” and introduces a restrictive clause.
The song that is playing on the radio is my favorite.	“That” refers to “song” and introduces a restrictive clause.
The house that is located on the corner is for sale.	“That” refers to “house” and introduces a restrictive clause.
The phone that I use for work is very efficient.	“That” refers to “phone” and introduces a restrictive clause.
The project that I am working on is due next week.	“That” refers to “project” and introduces a restrictive clause.
The person that called me earlier didn’t leave a message.	“That” refers to “person” and introduces a restrictive clause.
The restaurant that serves the best pizza is downtown.	“That” refers to “restaurant” and introduces a restrictive clause.
The article that I read this morning was very informative.	“That” refers to “article” and introduces a restrictive clause.
The game that I played last night was very addictive.	“That” refers to “game” and introduces a restrictive clause.
The course that I am taking is very challenging.	“That” refers to “course” and introduces a restrictive clause.
The building that is made of glass is very modern.	“That” refers to “building” and introduces a restrictive clause.
The tool that I need for the job is in the shed.	“That” refers to “tool” and introduces a restrictive clause.
The app that I downloaded is very useful.	“That” refers to “app” and introduces a restrictive clause.
The museum that houses ancient artifacts is very popular.	“That” refers to “museum” and introduces a restrictive clause.
The recipe that I found online is very easy to make.	“That” refers to “recipe” and introduces a restrictive clause.
The park that has a playground is always crowded.	“That” refers to “park” and introduces a restrictive clause.
The show that I watched last night was very entertaining.	“That” refers to “show” and introduces a restrictive clause.
The plant that is growing in the garden is very healthy.	“That” refers to “plant” and introduces a restrictive clause.
The system that we implemented improved efficiency.	“That” refers to “system” and introduces a restrictive clause.
The strategy that we used was very successful.	“That” refers to “strategy” and introduces a restrictive clause.

Examples with “Whose”

The following table provides examples of sentences using the relative pronoun “whose.” “Whose” indicates possession and can refer to both people and things.

Sentence	Explanation
The man whose car was stolen reported it to the police.	“Whose” shows that the car belongs to the man.
The woman whose daughter is a doctor is very proud.	“Whose” shows that the daughter belongs to the woman.
The company whose profits increased significantly expanded its operations.	“Whose” shows that the profits belong to the company.
The student whose essay won the competition received an award.	“Whose” shows that the essay belongs to the student.
The artist whose paintings are displayed in the gallery is famous.	“Whose” shows that the paintings belong to the artist.
The author whose book became a bestseller is giving a lecture.	“Whose” shows that the book belongs to the author.
The city whose history is rich and diverse attracts many tourists.	“Whose” shows that the history belongs to the city.
The team whose performance improved significantly won the championship.	“Whose” shows that the performance belongs to the team.
The building whose design is unique and innovative is a landmark.	“Whose” shows that the design belongs to the building.
The organization whose mission is to help the needy relies on donations.	“Whose” shows that the mission belongs to the organization.
The school whose students excel academically is highly regarded.	“Whose” shows that the students belong to the school.
The project whose results are promising will receive more funding.	“Whose” shows that the results belong to the project.
The system whose efficiency increased saved the company money.	“Whose” shows that the efficiency belongs to the system.
The family whose house was damaged received assistance from the community.	“Whose” shows that the house belongs to the family.
The neighborhood whose residents are actively involved is very vibrant.	“Whose” shows that the residents belong to the neighborhood.
The country whose economy is growing rapidly attracts investors.	“Whose” shows that the economy belongs to the country.
The society whose members are dedicated to conservation is very effective.	“Whose” shows that the members belong to the society.
The community whose leaders are committed to progress is thriving.	“Whose” shows that the leaders belong to the community.
The initiative whose goal is to improve education is very important.	“Whose” shows that the goal belongs to the initiative.
The strategy whose implementation was successful achieved the desired outcome.	“Whose” shows that the implementation belongs to the strategy.
The program whose participants are highly motivated is very effective.	“Whose” shows that the participants belong to the program.
The policy whose impact is positive has been extended.	“Whose” shows that the impact belongs to the policy.
The event whose purpose is to raise awareness is well-attended.	“Whose” shows that the purpose belongs to the event.
The research whose findings are significant has been published.	“Whose” shows that the findings belong to the research.

Usage Rules for Relative Pronouns

Using relative pronouns correctly requires understanding several key rules. These rules govern which pronoun to use in different situations, how to punctuate relative clauses, and when it’s possible to omit the relative pronoun altogether.

Restrictive vs. Nonrestrictive Clauses

One of the most important distinctions to understand is the difference between restrictive and nonrestrictive clauses. This distinction affects both the choice of relative pronoun and the punctuation used.

• Restrictive Clauses (also called essential clauses): These clauses are essential to the meaning of the sentence. They provide information that identifies or defines the noun they modify. Restrictive clauses are not set off by commas. The relative pronoun “that” is often used in restrictive clauses, although “who” or “which” can also be used.
• Nonrestrictive Clauses (also called nonessential clauses): These clauses provide additional, non-essential information about the noun they modify. They are set off by commas. The relative pronouns “who” and “which” are used in nonrestrictive clauses, but “that” is not.

Example (Restrictive): The book that I borrowed from the library is very interesting. (The clause “that I borrowed from the library” identifies which book is being referred to.)

Example (Nonrestrictive): The book, which I found at a used bookstore, is very interesting. (The clause “which I found at a used bookstore” provides additional information about the book, but it’s not essential to identifying the book.)

Relative Pronouns with Prepositions

Relative pronouns can be used with prepositions. The preposition can come before the relative pronoun, especially in formal writing, or it can come at the end of the relative clause.

Formal: The man to whom I spoke was very helpful.

Informal: The man who I spoke to was very helpful.

When using “that” as a relative pronoun, the preposition must come at the end of the clause. You cannot say “to that.”

Correct: The house that I live in is very old.

Incorrect: The house in that I live is very old.

Omitting Relative Pronouns

In certain cases, the relative pronoun can be omitted from the sentence. This is possible when the relative pronoun is the object of the verb in the relative clause, and the clause is restrictive.

Original: The book that I read was fascinating.

With omission: The book I read was fascinating.

However, you cannot omit the relative pronoun if it is the subject of the relative clause or if the clause is nonrestrictive.

Incorrect: The man lives next door is a doctor.

Correct: The man who lives next door is a doctor.

Common Mistakes with Relative Pronouns

Even experienced English speakers sometimes make mistakes with relative pronouns. Here are some common errors to watch out for:

• Using “that” in nonrestrictive clauses: “That” should not be used in nonrestrictive clauses, which require “who” or “which.”
• Incorrect: My car, that is parked outside, is new.
• Correct: My car, which is parked outside, is new.
• Incorrectly using “who” and “whom”: “Who” is used as the subject, while “whom” is used as the object.
• Incorrect: The man whom is talking is my boss.
• Correct: The man who is talking is my boss.
• Incorrect: The man who I gave the book to is grateful.
• Correct: The man whom I gave the book to is grateful.
• Omitting relative pronouns incorrectly: You can only omit the relative pronoun when it is the object of the verb in a restrictive clause.
• Incorrect: The book is on the table is mine.
• Correct: The book that is on the table is mine.
• Misplacing prepositions

  : In formal English, prepositions often precede “whom,” but in informal English, they usually come at the end of the clause.

• Formal: To whom did you give the book?
• Informal: Who did you give the book to?
• Incorrect: To who did you give the book?

Practice Exercises

To solidify your understanding of relative pronouns, try these practice exercises. Fill in the blanks with the correct relative pronoun (who, whom, which, that, or whose) or omit the pronoun if possible.

Answers:

Advanced Topics

Once you have a solid grasp of the basics, you can explore more advanced topics related to relative pronouns. These topics include using multiple relative clauses and understanding when relative pronouns act as subjects within their clauses.

Multiple Relative Clauses

It is possible to use multiple relative clauses in a single sentence to provide more detailed information. When doing so, ensure that each clause is correctly punctuated and that the relative pronouns refer clearly to their antecedents.

Example: The book that I borrowed from the library, which is known for its extensive collection, is a first edition that I had been searching for.

In this sentence, there are three relative clauses: “that I borrowed from the library,” “which is known for its extensive collection,” and “that I had been searching for.” Each clause adds more information about the book.

Relative Pronouns as Subjects

A relative pronoun can act as the subject of its own clause. In such cases, the verb in the relative clause must agree in number with the antecedent.

Example: The student who studies diligently usually succeeds.

Here, “who” is the subject of the verb “studies.” Since “student” is singular, the verb “studies” is also singular.

Example: The students who study diligently usually succeed.

Here, “who” is the subject of the verb “study.” Since “students” is plural, the verb “study” is also plural.

FAQ

Conclusion

Mastering the use of sentences with relative pronouns is essential for clear and effective communication. By understanding the different types of relative pronouns, their usage rules, and common mistakes to avoid, you can significantly improve your writing and speaking skills.

Practice using relative pronouns in various contexts to reinforce your knowledge and build confidence. With consistent effort, you’ll be able to construct complex and informative sentences with ease.