How to Use Relative Pronouns: Rules, Tips, and Common Mistakes
| Relative Pronoun | Used For | Example Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| who | People | She is the teacher who helped me. | Joins a clause about a person |
| which | Things, animals | This is the book which I lost. | Refers to a thing or animal |
| that | People, things | This is the watch that I bought. | Can refer to people or things |
| where | Places | This is the house where I grew up. | Refers to a place |
| whom | People (object) | The boy whom I saw is my friend. | Used for the object person |
What Are Relative Pronouns?
Relative pronouns are words that connect a clause or phrase to a noun or pronoun. They make sentences clear and are used to join ideas together, especially in written and spoken English. Common relative pronouns include who, which, that, where, and whom.
Rules for Using Relative Pronouns
Each relative pronoun has its own rules for use. Choosing the correct one depends on the noun you refer to and its role in the sentence. Understanding these rules helps you avoid mistakes.
Key Rules:
- Use who for people (subject of the clause). Example: The student who studies hard will pass.
- Use whom for people (object of the clause). Example: The girl whom we met is friendly.
- Use which for things and animals. Example: The cake which you baked is delicious.
- Use that for people or things (defining clauses). Example: The car that I drive is blue.
- Use where for places. Example: This is the park where I play football.
- Do not use "what" as a relative pronoun in standard English.
- Do not repeat the noun or use extra subject/object (avoid: The man that he is my uncle.)
Relative Pronouns Examples and Explanations
| Relative Pronoun | Example Sentence | Why It’s Correct |
|---|---|---|
| who | I know a person who speaks French. | Refers to a person (subject) |
| whom | This is the girl whom I called. | Refers to a person (object) |
| which | This is the movie which won the award. | Refers to a thing (movie) |
| that | This is the dog that barks loudly. | Refers to an animal (defining clause) |
| where | This is the school where I study. | Refers to a place |
Common Relative Pronouns Mistakes
Students often mix up "who" and "whom," or use "which" for people instead of things. Remember: "that" can often replace "who" or "which" in defining clauses, but not always. Never use "what," or double subjects/objects with relative pronouns.
Relative Pronouns Exercises with Answers
Practice is the best way to master relative pronouns. Try these exercises. Answers are given below for instant feedback.
- She is the artist ____ painted the mural. (who/which/where)
- This is the shop ____ we bought the bag. (where/who/that)
- I have a friend ____ can solve the puzzle. (who/where/which)
- The book ____ you gave me is interesting. (which/where/who)
- The teacher ____ I met was kind. (whom/where/that)
Answers:
- 1: who
- 2: where
- 3: who
- 4: which
- 5: whom
Join the Sentences Using Relative Pronouns
Combine each pair into one sentence using the correct relative pronoun.
- The boy is my cousin. He lives next door.
- This is the garden. We play there.
- She bought a car. The car is red.
- I ate the cake. You made the cake.
Possible Answers:
- 1: The boy who lives next door is my cousin.
- 2: This is the garden where we play.
- 3: She bought a car which is red.
- 4: I ate the cake that you made.
Quick Revision Tips for Relative Pronouns
- Use "who/whom" for people, "which" for things, "where" for places.
- "That" is used for people or things in defining sentences.
- Never use "what" as a relative pronoun in standard grammar.
- Avoid repeating the same subject or object after the pronoun.
- Practice sentence joining to build confidence for exams.
Download Relative Pronouns Exercises PDF
For offline practice, download a printable worksheet at Vedantu’s Pronoun Exercises page.
Related Topics to Explore
- Relative Pronouns Explanation
- Introduction to Pronouns
- Parts of Speech
- Sentence Structure
- Clauses in English Grammar
Mastering relative pronouns improves your writing, exam skills, and spoken English. You will connect ideas clearly and avoid repetition. At Vedantu, you can find more practice, tips, and simple explanations to build your confidence in English grammar. Practice daily, revise the key rules, and use these sentence patterns in real life for best results.
FAQs on Relative Pronouns Exercises: Practice with Answers and Examples
1. What are relative pronouns in English?
Relative pronouns are words that connect a clause to a noun or pronoun. They smoothly join sentences, avoiding repetition. Common examples include who, whom, which, that, and where. Mastering them is crucial for clear and concise writing.
2. What are the 5 main relative pronouns?
The five main relative pronouns are: who (refers to people), whom (refers to people, used as the object of a verb or preposition), which (refers to things), that (refers to people or things), and where (refers to places). Understanding their specific uses is key to correct grammar.
3. How do you use relative pronouns in a sentence?
Relative pronouns introduce relative clauses, which add extra information about a noun or pronoun. For example: "The book that I borrowed is interesting." Here, "that" connects the clause "I borrowed" to the noun "book." Correct usage involves understanding subject-verb agreement within the relative clause.
4. What are 10 examples of relatives?
Here are ten examples of relative pronoun usage: 1. The car which I bought is red. 2. The woman who lives next door is a doctor. 3. The house where I grew up is small. 4. The cake that I baked is delicious. 5. The student who studied hard passed the exam. 6. The song which I like is popular. 7. The city where I live is huge. 8. The friend whom I trust is reliable. 9. The problem that needs solving is complex. 10. The reason why I left is personal.
5. What is a relative pronoun exercise?
A relative pronoun exercise is a practice activity designed to improve understanding and usage of relative pronouns (who, whom, which, that, where). Exercises often involve filling in blanks, combining sentences, or correcting errors involving relative clauses to enhance grammatical skills.
6. Relative pronouns exercises with answers?
Many resources offer relative pronoun exercises with answers. These exercises typically present sentences with gaps to be filled using appropriate relative pronouns or require sentence combining using relative clauses. Answer keys provide feedback for self-assessment and skill improvement. Look for exercises that include a variety of sentence structures and relative pronouns for comprehensive practice.
7. When do we use "who" vs "whom"?
Use "who" as the subject of a verb within a relative clause (e.g., "The man who ate the pie is happy"). Use "whom" as the object of a verb or preposition (e.g., "The man whom I saw was tall"). While "whom" is less common, understanding the difference is crucial for formal writing and exams.
8. Which for people or things?
Use "who" and "whom" for people, "which" for things, and "that" for both people and things. "Where" refers to places. The choice depends on the antecedent (the noun or pronoun the relative pronoun refers to) and its grammatical function within the clause.
9. Relative pronouns exercises for class 6?
Relative pronoun exercises for class 6 often focus on basic usage of who, which, and that. These exercises typically involve simple sentences and straightforward gap-filling activities to build foundational skills. Look for resources aligned with the class 6 English grammar syllabus.
10. How to remember rules?
To remember relative pronoun rules, practice consistently with varied exercises. Create flashcards with examples for each pronoun. Focus on understanding the grammatical function (subject or object) within the relative clause. Regularly review rules and examples for better retention, especially before exams.
11. Relative pronouns exercises pdf?
Many websites and educational platforms offer downloadable PDF worksheets containing relative pronoun exercises. These PDFs are convenient for offline practice and self-study. Search online for "relative pronouns exercises PDF" to find suitable resources aligned with your learning needs.
