Relative Pronouns

Introduction

In this chapter, we will learn about relative pronouns. Relative pronouns are used to connect clauses or phrases to a noun or pronoun. They help provide additional information about the noun or pronoun in the sentence.

What Are Relative Pronouns?

Relative pronouns introduce a clause that provides more information about a noun or pronoun. These clauses are called relative clauses. Common relative pronouns include “who,” “whom,” “whose,” “which,” and “that.”

Examples:

• The person who called me is my friend. (introduces a clause giving more information about “the person”)
• The book that you gave me is interesting. (introduces a clause giving more information about “the book”)

Key Points About Relative Pronouns

1. Introduce Relative Clauses: Relative pronouns introduce clauses that provide additional information about a noun or pronoun.
2. Connect Clauses: They connect dependent clauses to independent clauses.
3. Provide Specific Information: Relative pronouns help specify and describe the noun or pronoun.

Common Relative Pronouns

Who

Who is used to refer to people and is usually the subject of the relative clause.

Examples

• The teacher who helps us is very kind.
• The student who won the prize is in my class.

Whom

Whom is used to refer to people and is usually the object of the relative clause.

Examples

• The artist whom we admired is famous.
• The friend whom I called didn’t answer.

Whose

Whose is used to show possession or relationship.

Examples

• The man whose car was stolen reported it to the police.
• The family whose house burned down is staying with relatives.

Which

Which is used to refer to animals and things.

Examples

• The book which I borrowed is fascinating.
• The movie which we watched was exciting.

That

That is used to refer to people, animals, and things. It is often used in defining relative clauses, which provide essential information about the noun.

Examples

• The dog that barked all night belongs to our neighbor.
• The keys that I lost have been found.

Using Relative Pronouns in Sentences

Who

• The teacher who teaches math is excellent.
• The woman who called earlier is my aunt.

Whom

• The professor whom I admire wrote this book.
• The team whom we played against was very strong.

Whose

• The boy whose bicycle was stolen is upset.
• The artist whose paintings we saw is famous.

Which

• The cake which she baked was delicious.
• The phone which you found is mine.

That

• The house that we visited is for sale.
• The song that you like is playing on the radio.

Real-Life Examples of Relative Pronouns

1. The woman who lives next door is a doctor. (Relative Pronoun: who)
2. The book which you lent me is amazing. (Relative Pronoun: which)
3. The car that I bought is very fast. (Relative Pronoun: that)
4. The teacher whom we respect is retiring. (Relative Pronoun: whom)
5. The man whose bike was stolen is my neighbor. (Relative Pronoun: whose)
6. The movie that we watched was thrilling. (Relative Pronoun: that)
7. The girl who won the competition is very talented. (Relative Pronoun: who)
8. The company which I work for is expanding. (Relative Pronoun: which)
9. The athlete whom everyone admires won the race. (Relative Pronoun: whom)
10. The person whose wallet was found came to claim it. (Relative Pronoun: whose)
11. The house that is on the corner is for sale. (Relative Pronoun: that)
12. The artist who painted this is very talented. (Relative Pronoun: who)
13. The movie which we saw yesterday was boring. (Relative Pronoun: which)
14. The dog that barked all night is tired. (Relative Pronoun: that)
15. The singer whom we heard last night was amazing. (Relative Pronoun: whom)
16. The girl whose backpack is red is my friend. (Relative Pronoun: whose)
17. The book that you are reading is mine. (Relative Pronoun: that)
18. The scientist who discovered the cure is celebrated. (Relative Pronoun: who)
19. The song which is playing is my favorite. (Relative Pronoun: which)
20. The student whom the teacher praised is hardworking. (Relative Pronoun: whom)
21. The man whose house was built last year is my uncle. (Relative Pronoun: whose)
22. The house that Jack built is famous. (Relative Pronoun: that)
23. The player who scored the goal is a hero. (Relative Pronoun: who)
24. The animal which you saw is rare. (Relative Pronoun: which)
25. The man whom I met at the conference is an author. (Relative Pronoun: whom)

Conclusion

Relative pronouns are used to introduce clauses that provide additional information about a noun or pronoun. By understanding and using relative pronouns, we can create more detailed and connected sentences.