What Are Relative Pronouns?
Relative pronouns are words like who, whom, whose, which, and that, used to connect clauses or phrases to a noun or pronoun, adding detail and clarity to sentences.
What Are Relative Pronouns?
Relative pronouns are words that introduce relative clauses, linking them to the main clause. Common relative pronouns include:
Who: Refers to people. Example: The teacher who inspires us is retiring.
Whom: Refers to people as the object of the verb. Example: The artist whom you admire is here.
Whose: Indicates possession. Example: The student whose book is missing is worried.
Which: Refers to animals or things. Example: The car which broke down is now fixed.
That: Refers to people, animals, or things in restrictive clauses. Example: The book that you lent me was fascinating.
Types of Relative Pronouns and Their Uses
Who and Whom
Who: Used as the subject of the clause. Example: The person who called you is my friend.
Whom: Used as the object of the verb. Example: The musician whom we met was friendly.
Whose
Whose: Indicates possession and can refer to people or things. Example: The company whose profits soared is expanding.
Which
Non-restrictive Clauses: Adds extra information, set off by commas. Example: My laptop, which I bought last year, is already outdated.
Restrictive Clauses: Essential to the meaning of the sentence. Example: The laptop which is on sale is affordable.
That
Restrictive Clauses Only: Essential to the sentence, without commas. Example: The book that I borrowed was excellent.
Forming Relative Clauses
Restrictive Clauses
Essential to the meaning of the sentence. Example: The cake that she baked was delicious.
Non-restrictive Clauses
Adds extra information, set off by commas. Example: My brother, who lives in Canada, is visiting us.
Importance of Commas
Commas are crucial in non-restrictive clauses to set them off from the main clause. Without commas, the clause becomes restrictive and changes the sentence’s meaning.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Mistake 1: Using "which" instead of "that" in restrictive clauses
Incorrect: The movie which I watched was thrilling.
Correct: The movie that I watched was thrilling.
Mistake 2: Omitting commas in non-restrictive clauses
Incorrect: My sister who lives in Paris is an artist.
Correct: My sister, who lives in Paris, is an artist.
Mistake 3: Confusing "who" and "whom"
Incorrect: The person whom called you is my friend.
Correct: The person who called you is my friend.
Practice Sentence
Combine: The teacher is kind. She helps students.
Correct: The teacher who helps students is kind.
Practical Exercises and Examples
Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with the correct relative pronoun
The book ___ you lent me was fascinating. (that)
The artist ___ paintings are famous is visiting. (whose)
The car ___ broke down is now fixed. (which)
Exercise 2: Combine the sentences using relative pronouns
The man is my uncle. He called yesterday.
The man who called yesterday is my uncle.
The laptop is on the table. It is mine.
The laptop that is on the table is mine.
Additional Examples
The house, which is old, needs repairs.
The student who won the prize is talented.