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English

Grammar

Relative Pronouns

Relative Pronouns: Grammar Exercises and Rules

What are Relative Pronouns? - Definition and Examples

Relative Pronouns are essential building blocks of English grammar that help connect different parts of a sentence, providing clarity and detail. They act as a bridge between a main clause and a subordinate clause, linking them in a way that adds depth and specificity to your writing. Understanding relative pronouns can significantly enhance your ability to create well-structured and coherent sentences.

Table of Content

In this article, we’ll explore what relative pronouns are, their various types, and how they are used with practical examples to help you grasp their function and improve your grammar skills.

Interesting Facts about Relative Pronouns

Relative pronouns like "who" and "which" come from Old English forms like "hwā" and "hwilc."
"Whom" is used formally as the object of a verb or preposition, but "who" is often used informally.
"That" can refer to both people and things, while "who" is for people and "which" is for things.
"Whose" shows possession and can refer to both people and things.
Some dialects use relative pronouns differently, like saying "the person who I spoke to" instead of "the person to whom I spoke."
"Which" can introduce non-defining clauses that add extra information.
In informal speech, relative pronouns like "that" can be omitted, as in "The book (that) I borrowed was great."

What are Relative Pronouns? - Definition

A relative pronoun is a word used to introduce a relative clause, which provides more information about a noun mentioned in the sentence. It connects the clause to the noun and helps specify which noun is being talked about.

The most common relative pronouns in English are: Who, Whom, Whose, Which and That.

Relative Pronouns Examples

Here are some common relative pronouns examples.

Who – used for people.
Example: The woman who called you is here.

Whom – used for people, typically in formal contexts.
Example: The person whom you met yesterday is my colleague.

Whose – used to show possession.
Example: The student whose book was missing found it in the library.

Which – used for animals and things.
Example: The car which was parked outside is mine.

That – used for people, animals, or things.
Example: The book that she borrowed is on the table.

Whoever – used to refer to anyone who.
Example: Whoever finishes first will win the prize.

Whomever – used to refer to anyone whom.
Example: Give the tickets to whomever you choose.

Whosever – used to indicate possession by anyone.
Example: Whosever idea this was, it was brilliant.

Whichsoever – used to refer to any one of a specific set.
Example: Choose whichsoever option you prefer.

Whatever – used to refer to anything that.
Example: Take whatever you need from the box.

Relative Pronouns List

Here is a Relative Pronouns list with examples for each.

Relative Pronoun	Example Sentence
who	The teacher who helped me is on holiday.
whom	The person whom I spoke to was helpful.
whose	The student whose project won was excited.
which	The book which I borrowed was fascinating.
that	The car that I bought is very fast.
where	The restaurant where we ate was great.
when	The day when we met was unforgettable.
why	The reason why she left is unclear.
whoever	Whoever finds the key should return it.
whomever	You can give the gift to whomever you choose.
whichever	Choose whichever route you prefer.
whatever	Take whatever you need.
whosever	Whosever book this is should come and get it.
whomsoever	Whomsoever you meet will be friendly.
wherever	Go wherever you feel happy.
whichever	Take whichever option works best for you.

Test your Knowledge: Relative Pronouns Exercises with Answers

1. Choose the correct relative pronoun to complete the sentence:

The book _____ I borrowed from the library was fascinating.

a) who
b) which
c) whom

2. Select the correct relative pronoun for the sentence:

She is the artist _____ painting won the award.

a) who
b) which
c) whose

3. Fill in the blank with the appropriate relative pronoun:

The house _____ we used to live in was demolished.

a) where
b) that
c) whom

4. Choose the right relative pronoun:

The students _____ participated in the survey received certificates.

a) who
b) which
c) whom

5. Complete the sentence with the correct relative pronoun:

The movie _____ we watched last night was excellent.

a) where
b) which
c) who

Find out if you got them all right from the answers below.

b) which
c) whose
b) that
a) who
b) which

Takeaways from this Page

Relative pronouns are used to link clauses and provide additional information about a noun in a sentence. Here are some key takeaways:

Common Relative Pronouns: The most frequently used relative pronouns are who, whom, whose, which, and that.
Omission of Relative Pronouns: In some cases, the relative pronoun can be omitted, especially in defining clauses when it is the object of the clause (e.g., "The book (that) I read was interesting").
Agreement: Ensure the relative pronoun agrees in number and gender with the noun it refers to, though this is more relevant in languages with gendered pronouns.
Functions:

Subject: "The teacher who inspires me" (the pronoun who is the subject of the relative clause).
Object: "The book that I read" (the pronoun that is the object of the verb read).

Relative pronouns are words like "who," "whom," "whose," "which," and "that" used to connect clauses or phrases to a noun or pronoun. They help give more detail or clarify which person or thing we're talking about. In short, they make sentences more specific and informative.

FAQs on Relative Pronouns: Grammar Exercises and Rules

1. What is a relative pronoun?

A relative pronoun is a word that introduces a relative clause and relates it to a noun or pronoun in the main clause. Examples include "who," "whom," "whose," "which," and "that."

2. What is the difference between 'who' and 'whom'?

"Who" is used as the subject of a verb, while "whom" is used as the object of a verb or preposition. For example, "The teacher who called you is my friend" (subject) versus "The teacher whom you met yesterday is my friend" (object).

3. Can 'which' be used to refer to people?

Typically, "which" is used for animals and things, not people. For referring to people, "who" or "whom" is preferred.

4. When should I use 'whose'?

"Whose" is used to indicate possession. For example, "The student whose book you borrowed is waiting outside."

5. What is the role of 'that' in relative clauses?

"That" is used to introduce restrictive (defining) relative clauses, which provide essential information about the noun. For example, "The car that is parked outside is mine."

6. Is it always necessary to use a relative pronoun?

In restrictive clauses, "that" can sometimes be omitted. For example, "The book (that) I borrowed is interesting."

7. Can 'who' and 'that' be used interchangeably?

In restrictive clauses, "who" and "that" can often be used interchangeably when referring to people. For example, "The man who/that called you is here."

8. What is a non-defining relative clause?

A non-defining relative clause adds extra information about a noun but is not essential to its meaning. It is separated by commas. For example, "My brother, who lives in New York, is visiting us next week."

9. Can 'which' be used for non-defining clauses?

Yes, "which" is commonly used in non-defining relative clauses. For example, "The laptop, which I bought last year, is already outdated."

10. How do you choose between 'that' and 'which'?

Use "that" for restrictive clauses, which define or limit the noun. Use "which" for non-restrictive clauses, which provide additional information. For example, "The book that you lent me is great" (restrictive) versus "The book, which was published last year, is great" (non-restrictive).