Relative Pronouns

Relative pronouns are used to connect clauses or phrases to a noun or pronoun. They introduce relative clauses, which add extra information about the noun. Understanding how to use relative pronouns correctly is essential for creating complex sentences and adding detail to your writing.

List of Relative Pronouns

• Who: Refers to people (subject).
  • Example: The woman who called is my aunt.
• Whom: Refers to people (object).
  • Example: The man whom you met yesterday is my uncle.
• Whose: Indicates possession for people or things.
  • Example: The student whose book you borrowed is waiting for it.
• Which: Refers to animals and things.
  • Example: The book which is on the table is mine.
• That: Refers to people, animals, and things (used in defining clauses).
  • Example: The car that he drives is new.

Types of Relative Clauses

Defining (Restrictive) Clauses

These clauses provide essential information about the noun they modify. Without this information, the meaning of the sentence would change.

• Example: The house that Jack built is still standing.

Non-Defining (Non-Restrictive) Clauses

These clauses add extra information that can be omitted without changing the meaning of the sentence. They are usually set off by commas.

• Example: My brother, who lives in New York, is visiting us next week.

Usage of Relative Pronouns

Who and Whom

• Who is used as the subject of a verb.
  • Example: The doctor who treated me was very kind.
• Whom is used as the object of a verb or preposition.
  • Example: The person to whom you were speaking is my friend.

Whose

• Used to show possession.
  • Example: The artist whose paintings you admire is here.

Which

• Used for animals and objects in both defining and non-defining clauses.
  • Example: The laptop which I bought last week is already broken.

That

• Used for people, animals, and things in defining clauses only.
  • Example: The book that you lent me was fascinating.

Omission of Relative Pronouns

In defining clauses, the relative pronoun can sometimes be omitted if it is the object of the clause.

• Example: The cake (that) she baked was delicious.

Common Mistakes

• Using 'Who' instead of 'Whom': 'Whom' should be used when referring to the object of the verb.
  • Incorrect: The person who I saw was your brother.
  • Correct: The person whom I saw was your brother.
• Confusing 'Which' and 'That': 'Which' is used in non-defining clauses and 'that' in defining clauses.
  • Incorrect: My car, that is very old, broke down.
  • Correct: My car, which is very old, broke down.

Conclusion

Relative pronouns are essential for connecting clauses and adding detail to sentences. Correct usage of 'who,' 'whom,' 'whose,' 'which,' and 'that' allows for precise and varied sentence structures, enhancing both written and spoken English.