Relative pronouns are essential for connecting clauses and creating more complex and interesting sentences. Mastering their usage can significantly enhance your writing and speaking skills in English.
This article provides a comprehensive guide to relative pronouns, including definitions, examples, usage rules, common mistakes, and practice exercises. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, this resource will help you understand and use relative pronouns with confidence.
This guide is beneficial for English language learners of all levels, teachers looking for comprehensive teaching material, and anyone who wants to improve their understanding of English grammar. By the end of this article, you will be able to identify and use relative pronouns correctly, construct complex sentences effectively, and avoid common errors.
Table of Contents
- Definition of Relative Pronouns
- Structural Breakdown
- Types of Relative Pronouns
- Examples of Relative Pronouns
- Usage Rules
- Common Mistakes
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- FAQ
- Conclusion
Definition of Relative Pronouns
A relative pronoun is a word that introduces a relative clause, also known as an adjective clause. Relative clauses provide additional information about a noun or pronoun in the main clause. The relative pronoun connects the relative clause to the noun or pronoun it modifies, acting as the subject or object within the relative clause itself.
Relative pronouns serve two primary functions: they connect the relative clause to the main clause and they replace a noun or pronoun within the relative clause. This dual role is what distinguishes them from other types of pronouns or conjunctions.
Consider the sentence: “The book that I borrowed from the library is very interesting.” Here, “that” is the relative pronoun. It connects the relative clause “that I borrowed from the library” to the main clause “The book is very interesting.” Within the relative clause, “that” acts as the object of the verb “borrowed.”
Structural Breakdown
Understanding the structure of sentences with relative pronouns involves recognizing the main clause, the relative clause, and the role of the relative pronoun within the relative clause. The basic structure is as follows:
Main Clause + Relative Pronoun + Relative Clause
The main clause is the core part of the sentence that can stand alone. The relative clause is a dependent clause that modifies a noun or pronoun in the main clause. The relative pronoun links the two clauses and acts as a substitute for a noun or pronoun within the relative clause.
Let’s break down another example: “The woman who lives next door is a doctor.”
- Main Clause: The woman is a doctor.
- Relative Pronoun: who
- Relative Clause: who lives next door
In this case, “who” connects the relative clause to “woman” and acts as the subject of the verb “lives” within the relative clause.
The position of the relative clause is usually right after the noun/pronoun it modifies. Sometimes, the relative clause can be set off by commas if it provides non-essential information.
This is known as a non-restrictive clause. Restrictive clauses, on the other hand, are essential to the meaning of the sentence and are not set off by commas.
Types of Relative Pronouns
There are five main relative pronouns in English: who, whom, which, that, and whose. Each pronoun has specific uses depending on whether it refers to people, things, or possessions, and whether it functions as the subject or object in the relative clause.
Who
Who is used to refer to people when the relative pronoun is the subject of the relative clause. It cannot be used to refer to things or animals.
Example: “The student who studies diligently usually succeeds.” In this sentence, “who” refers to “student” and is the subject of the verb “studies.”
Whom
Whom is used to refer to people when the relative pronoun is the object of the verb or preposition in the relative clause. While grammatically correct, “whom” is becoming less common in informal English, and “who” or “that” are often used instead, especially in spoken language.
Example: “The man whom I saw yesterday is my neighbor.” Here, “whom” refers to “man” and is the object of the verb “saw.”
Which
Which is used to refer to things or animals. It can be used in both restrictive and non-restrictive clauses. In non-restrictive clauses, it is always preceded by a comma.
Example: “The car, which is very old, still runs well.” In this sentence, “which” refers to “car.”
That
That can refer to both people and things. It is commonly used in restrictive clauses (essential information) and is often preferred over “who” or “which” in informal contexts. However, “that” cannot be used in non-restrictive clauses.
Example: “The book that I recommended is a bestseller.” In this sentence, “that” refers to “book.”
Whose
Whose indicates possession and can refer to both people and things. It shows that the noun in the relative clause belongs to the noun in the main clause.
Example: “The author whose book I read is very talented.” Here, “whose” indicates that the book belongs to the author.
Examples of Relative Pronouns
The following tables provide extensive examples of each relative pronoun in different contexts. Each table contains at least 20-30 examples to illustrate the various ways these pronouns can be used.
The first table focuses on the use of the relative pronoun “who” in sentences. Note how “who” always refers to a person and acts as the subject of the verb in the relative clause.
| Example Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| The girl who won the race is my sister. | “Who” refers to “girl” and is the subject of “won.” |
| The teacher who taught the class was very knowledgeable. | “Who” refers to “teacher” and is the subject of “taught.” |
| The doctor who treated me was very kind. | “Who” refers to “doctor” and is the subject of “treated.” |
| The students who studied hard passed the exam. | “Who” refers to “students” and is the subject of “studied.” |
| My neighbor who is a retired engineer, loves gardening. | “Who” refers to “neighbor” and is the subject of “is.” |
| The artist who painted this masterpiece is world-renowned. | “Who” refers to “artist” and is the subject of “painted.” |
| The musician who played the violin was incredibly talented. | “Who” refers to “musician” and is the subject of “played.” |
| The chef who created this dish is famous for his innovations. | “Who” refers to “chef” and is the subject of “created.” |
| The writer who wrote this novel is a literary genius. | “Who” refers to “writer” and is the subject of “wrote.” |
| The athlete who broke the record is an inspiration to many. | “Who” refers to “athlete” and is the subject of “broke.” |
| The pilot who flew the plane was highly experienced. | “Who” refers to “pilot” and is the subject of “flew.” |
| The actor who played the lead role received critical acclaim. | “Who” refers to “actor” and is the subject of “played.” |
| The lawyer who defended the client was very persuasive. | “Who” refers to “lawyer” and is the subject of “defended.” |
| The scientist who made the discovery won a Nobel Prize. | “Who” refers to “scientist” and is the subject of “made.” |
| The programmer who developed this software is highly skilled. | “Who” refers to “programmer” and is the subject of “developed.” |
| The dancer who performed on stage was graceful and elegant. | “Who” refers to “dancer” and is the subject of “performed.” |
| The architect who designed the building received many awards. | “Who” refers to “architect” and is the subject of “designed.” |
| The volunteer who helped at the shelter was compassionate. | “Who” refers to “volunteer” and is the subject of “helped.” |
| The speaker who gave the presentation was very engaging. | “Who” refers to “speaker” and is the subject of “gave.” |
| The consultant who advised the company was highly effective. | “Who” refers to “consultant” and is the subject of “advised.” |
| The librarian who assisted me was very helpful. | “Who” refers to “librarian” and is the subject of “assisted.” |
| The cashier who served me was very friendly. | “Who” refers to “cashier” and is the subject of “served.” |
| The waiter who took our order was attentive. | “Who” refers to “waiter” and is the subject of “took.” |
| The cleaner who tidied the room was efficient. | “Who” refers to “cleaner” and is the subject of “tidied.” |
Next, we have a table showing examples of “whom.” Note that while “whom” is still grammatically correct, it’s less commonly used in modern English, especially in informal speech. The relative pronoun serves as the object within the relative clause.
| Example Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| The man whom I saw yesterday is my neighbor. | “Whom” refers to “man” and is the object of “saw.” |
| The woman whom he loved left the country. | “Whom” refers to “woman” and is the object of “loved.” |
| The candidate whom the committee selected was highly qualified. | “Whom” refers to “candidate” and is the object of “selected.” |
| The employee whom the manager promoted was very dedicated. | “Whom” refers to “employee” and is the object of “promoted.” |
| The author whom the critics praised is now a bestseller. | “Whom” refers to “author” and is the object of “praised.” |
| The artist whom the gallery showcased is gaining recognition. | “Whom” refers to “artist” and is the object of “showcased.” |
| The musician whom the audience applauded played beautifully. | “Whom” refers to “musician” and is the object of “applauded.” |
| The chef whom the restaurant hired is known for his creativity. | “Whom” refers to “chef” and is the object of “hired.” |
| The architect whom the city commissioned designed an iconic building. | “Whom” refers to “architect” and is the object of “commissioned.” |
| The scientist whom the university funded made a breakthrough discovery. | “Whom” refers to “scientist” and is the object of “funded.” |
| The programmer whom the company recruited is a coding expert. | “Whom” refers to “programmer” and is the object of “recruited.” |
| The dancer whom the choreographer selected was exceptionally talented. | “Whom” refers to “dancer” and is the object of “selected.” |
| The lawyer whom the firm appointed is a skilled advocate. | “Whom” refers to “lawyer” and is the object of “appointed.” |
| The pilot whom the airline employed flew many successful missions. | “Whom” refers to “pilot” and is the object of “employed.” |
| The actor whom the director cast delivered a stellar performance. | “Whom” refers to “actor” and is the object of “cast.” |
| The consultant whom the organization consulted provided valuable insights. | “Whom” refers to “consultant” and is the object of “consulted.” |
| The librarian whom the library hired is knowledgeable and helpful. | “Whom” refers to “librarian” and is the object of “hired.” |
| The cashier whom the store trained is efficient and courteous. | “Whom” refers to “cashier” and is the object of “trained.” |
| The waiter whom the restaurant promoted is now a manager. | “Whom” refers to “waiter” and is the object of “promoted.” |
| The cleaner whom the company employed is responsible and thorough. | “Whom” refers to “cleaner” and is the object of “employed.” |
| The speaker whom the conference invited delivered an inspiring speech. | “Whom” refers to “speaker” and is the object of “invited.” |
| The athlete whom the team recruited is a valuable player. | “Whom” refers to “athlete” and is the object of “recruited.” |
| The writer whom the publisher selected is now a best-selling author. | “Whom” refers to “writer” and is the object of “selected.” |
The table below presents examples using “which.” Remember that “which” refers to things or animals, and is often used in non-restrictive clauses set off by commas.
| Example Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| The car, which is very old, still runs well. | “Which” refers to “car.” Non-restrictive clause. |
| The house, which has a large garden, is for sale. | “Which” refers to “house.” Non-restrictive clause. |
| The book, which I found interesting, was a gift. | “Which” refers to “book.” Non-restrictive clause. |
| The dog, which is a golden retriever, loves to play fetch. | “Which” refers to “dog.” Non-restrictive clause. |
| The city, which is known for its history, attracts many tourists. | “Which” refers to “city.” Non-restrictive clause. |
| The painting, which is a masterpiece, is displayed in the museum. | “Which” refers to “painting.” Non-restrictive clause. |
| The song, which became a hit, was written by a young artist. | “Which” refers to “song.” Non-restrictive clause. |
| The movie, which won several awards, is a must-see. | “Which” refers to “movie.” Non-restrictive clause. |
| The computer, which is brand new, has the latest technology. | “Which” refers to “computer.” Non-restrictive clause. |
| The restaurant, which has a great view, is very popular. | “Which” refers to “restaurant.” Non-restrictive clause. |
| The coffee, which is freshly brewed, smells delicious. | “Which” refers to “coffee.” Non-restrictive clause. |
| The flower, which is a rose, is my favorite. | “Which” refers to “flower.” Non-restrictive clause. |
| The cake, which is chocolate, looks very tempting. | “Which” refers to “cake.” Non-restrictive clause. |
| The bridge, which is an engineering marvel, spans the river. | “Which” refers to “bridge.” Non-restrictive clause. |
| The park, which is located downtown, is a great place to relax. | “Which” refers to “park.” Non-restrictive clause. |
| The train, which is always on time, is a reliable form of transport. | “Which” refers to “train.” Non-restrictive clause. |
| The project, which is due next week, is almost complete. | “Which” refers to “project.” Non-restrictive clause. |
| The meeting, which starts at 2 PM, is very important. | “Which” refers to “meeting.” Non-restrictive clause. |
| The event, which is free to the public, is happening this weekend. | “Which” refers to “event.” Non-restrictive clause. |
| The app, which is very user-friendly, is available on all platforms. | “Which” refers to “app.” Non-restrictive clause. |
| The website, which is regularly updated, provides valuable information. | “Which” refers to “website.” Non-restrictive clause. |
| The course, which is taught by experts, is highly recommended. | “Which” refers to “course.” Non-restrictive clause. |
| The conference, which attracts professionals from around the world, starts tomorrow. | “Which” refers to “conference.” Non-restrictive clause. |
The following table provides examples of the relative pronoun “that.” Note that “that” can refer to both people and things, but it should only be used in restrictive clauses (no commas).
| Example Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| The book that I borrowed from the library is very interesting. | “That” refers to “book.” |
| The man that helped me was very kind. | “That” refers to “man.” |
| The car that I bought is very reliable. | “That” refers to “car.” |
| The movie that we watched last night was excellent. | “That” refers to “movie.” |
| The song that is playing on the radio is my favorite. | “That” refers to “song.” |
| The house that is on the corner is for sale. | “That” refers to “house.” |
| The phone that I have is a smartphone. | “That” refers to “phone.” |
| The restaurant that we went to was very expensive. | “That” refers to “restaurant.” |
| The coffee that I ordered was too strong. | “That” refers to “coffee.” |
| The flower that I planted is blooming. | “That” refers to “flower.” |
| The cake that she baked was delicious. | “That” refers to “cake.” |
| The bridge that connects the two cities is very long. | “That” refers to “bridge.” |
| The park that is near my house is very beautiful. | “That” refers to “park.” |
| The train that arrives at 5 PM is usually crowded. | “That” refers to “train.” |
| The project that I am working on is very challenging. | “That” refers to “project.” |
| The meeting that is scheduled for tomorrow has been postponed. | “That” refers to “meeting.” |
| The event that we are planning is a charity fundraiser. | “That” refers to “event.” |
| The app that I use every day is very helpful. | “That” refers to “app.” |
| The website that I visit frequently has useful information. | “That” refers to “website.” |
| The course that I am taking is very informative. | “That” refers to “course.” |
| The conference that I attended was very inspiring. | “That” refers to “conference.” |
| The student that asked the question was very curious. | “That” refers to “student.” |
| The teacher that gave the lecture was very engaging. | “That” refers to “teacher.” |
Finally, this table showcases the usage of “whose,” which indicates possession. “Whose” can refer to both people and things.
| Example Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| The author whose book I read is very talented. | “Whose” indicates the book belongs to the author. |
| The student whose essay won the prize is very intelligent. | “Whose” indicates the essay belongs to the student. |
| The company whose profits increased significantly is expanding. | “Whose” indicates the profits belong to the company. |
| The house whose roof is red is very beautiful. | “Whose” indicates the roof belongs to the house. |
| The tree whose leaves are turning yellow is an oak. | “Whose” indicates the leaves belong to the tree. |
| The car whose tires are flat needs repair. | “Whose” indicates the tires belong to the car. |
| The dog whose tail is wagging is very happy. | “Whose” indicates the tail belongs to the dog. |
| The city whose history is rich attracts many tourists. | “Whose” indicates the history belongs to the city. |
| The painting whose colors are vibrant is very captivating. | “Whose” indicates the colors belong to the painting. |
| The song whose melody is catchy is a hit. | “Whose” indicates the melody belongs to the song. |
| The movie whose plot is complex is very thought-provoking. | “Whose” indicates the plot belongs to the movie. |
| The computer whose speed is fast is very efficient. | “Whose” indicates the speed belongs to the computer. |
| The restaurant whose food is delicious is very popular. | “Whose” indicates the food belongs to the restaurant. |
| The coffee whose aroma is strong is very stimulating. | “Whose” indicates the aroma belongs to the coffee. |
| The flower whose fragrance is sweet is very lovely. | “Whose” indicates the fragrance belongs to the flower. |
| The cake whose frosting is rich is very decadent. | “Whose” indicates the frosting belongs to the cake. |
| The bridge whose design is innovative is very impressive. | “Whose” indicates the design belongs to the bridge. |
| The park whose trees are tall is very shady. | “Whose” indicates the trees belong to the park. |
| The train whose schedule is reliable is very convenient. | “Whose” indicates the schedule belongs to the train. |
| The project whose deadline is approaching is very urgent. | “Whose” indicates the deadline belongs to the project. |
| The meeting whose agenda is full is very important. | “Whose” indicates the agenda belongs to the meeting. |
| The event whose purpose is charitable is very commendable. | “Whose” indicates the purpose belongs to the event. |
| The app whose interface is intuitive is very user-friendly. | “Whose” indicates the interface belongs to the app. |
Usage Rules
Using relative pronouns correctly involves understanding several key rules:
- Choose the correct pronoun: Use “who” and “whom” for people, “which” for things (in non-restrictive clauses), and “that” for both people and things (in restrictive clauses). “Whose” is used to show possession for both people and things.
- Subject vs. Object: “Who” is used when the pronoun is the subject of the relative clause, while “whom” is used when it is the object. However, “who” is often used in place of “whom” in informal English.
- Restrictive vs. Non-Restrictive Clauses: Restrictive clauses are essential to the meaning of the sentence and are not set off by commas. Non-restrictive clauses provide additional information and are set off by commas. “That” cannot be used in non-restrictive clauses.
- Prepositions: When a relative pronoun is used with a preposition, the preposition can come before the pronoun (“to whom,” “with which”) or at the end of the relative clause (“who I spoke to,” “which I agreed with”). Placing the preposition before the pronoun is more formal.
Example of Preposition Placement:
- Formal: “The person to whom I sent the letter is out of town.”
- Informal: “The person who I sent the letter to is out of town.”
Common Mistakes
Learners often make several common mistakes when using relative pronouns. Here are some examples of incorrect usage and their corrections:
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| The book which I like is on the table. | The book that I like is on the table. | “That” is preferred over “which” in restrictive clauses. |
| The man whom is my friend is a doctor. | The man who is my friend is a doctor. | “Who” is used as the subject of the relative clause. |
| The car that, is old, still runs well. | The car, which is old, still runs well. | “That” cannot be used in non-restrictive clauses, use “which” and commas. |
| The woman whose I spoke to is a teacher. | The woman whom I spoke to is a teacher. OR The woman who I spoke to is a teacher. | “Whom” is the object of the preposition “to,” or “who” in informal speech. |
| The dog who’s tail is wagging is happy. | The dog whose tail is wagging is happy. | “Whose” indicates possession; “who’s” is a contraction of “who is.” |
| The reason why I am late is because of the traffic. | The reason that I am late is the traffic. | Avoid using “why” and “because” together. Use “that” instead. |
| The city which I live, is very beautiful. | The city where I live is very beautiful. OR The city in which I live is very beautiful. | Use “where” for places, or “in which” for a more formal construction. |
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding of relative pronouns with the following exercises. Choose the correct relative pronoun to complete each sentence.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. The woman ______ lives next door is a nurse. | who |
| 2. The book ______ I borrowed from you was very interesting. | that |
| 3. The car, ______ is parked outside, belongs to my father. | which |
| 4. The student ______ essay won the competition is very talented. | whose |
| 5. The man ______ I saw yesterday is my teacher. | whom |
| 6. The movie ______ we watched last night was a comedy. | that |
| 7. The house, ______ has a blue door, is for sale. | which |
| 8. The artist ______ paintings are displayed in the gallery is famous. | whose |
| 9. The person ______ I spoke to on the phone was very helpful. | whom |
| 10. The song ______ is playing on the radio is my favorite. | that |
Exercise 2: Combine the following sentences using a relative pronoun.
| Original Sentences | Combined Sentence |
|---|---|
| 1. I met a man. He is from Spain. | I met a man who is from Spain. |
| 2. This is the book. I told you about it. | This is the book that I told you about. |
| 3. The car is very old. It still runs well. | The car, which is very old, still runs well. |
| 4. The student is very intelligent. Her essay won the prize. | The student whose essay won the prize is very intelligent. |
| 5. I saw a woman yesterday. I had met her before. | I saw a woman whom I had met before. |
| 6. The movie was excellent. We watched it last night. | The movie that we watched last
night was excellent. |
Advanced Topics
For advanced learners, there are several more complex aspects of relative pronoun usage to consider:
- Reduced Relative Clauses: In some cases, the relative pronoun and auxiliary verb can be omitted, creating a reduced relative clause. For example, “The book that is on the table is mine” can be reduced to “The book on the table is mine.”
- “Of Which” and “Of Whom”: These are used to express possession or relationship in more formal contexts, especially when referring to a group or category. For example, “The company, many of whose employees are highly skilled, is expanding rapidly.”
- Relative Adverbs: While this article focuses on relative pronouns, it’s worth noting relative adverbs like “where,” “when,” and “why” also introduce relative clauses, but they modify the verb in the main clause by indicating place, time, or reason.
FAQ
Can I use “that” instead of “who” or “which” in all cases?
While “that” can often replace “who” or “which” in restrictive clauses, it’s generally better to use “who” for people and “which” for things in more formal writing. “That” cannot be used in non-restrictive clauses.
Is it incorrect to use “who” instead of “whom”?
In informal English, using “who” instead of “whom” is widely accepted, especially in spoken language. However, in formal writing, it’s best to use “whom” when the relative pronoun is the object of a verb or preposition.
What’s the difference between a restrictive and non-restrictive clause?
A restrictive clause is essential to the meaning of the sentence and cannot be removed without changing the core information. A non-restrictive clause provides additional, non-essential information and is set off by commas.
How do I know when to use “whose”?
“Whose” is used to show possession. If the relative clause indicates that something belongs to the noun in the main clause, “whose” is the correct choice.
Can a relative clause come at the beginning of a sentence?
While less common, a relative clause can sometimes come at the beginning of a sentence if it’s structured in a way that introduces the main subject. However, it’s often clearer and more effective to place the relative clause after the noun it modifies.
Conclusion
Mastering relative pronouns is crucial for constructing complex and clear sentences in English. By understanding the different types of relative pronouns, their usage rules, and common mistakes, you can significantly improve your writing and speaking skills.
Remember to practice regularly and pay attention to how native speakers use relative pronouns in various contexts. With consistent effort, you’ll be able to use relative pronouns confidently and effectively.