Relative pronouns are essential elements in English grammar that serve to connect clauses or phrases to a noun or pronoun. They help provide more information about a noun, allowing sentences to be more descriptive and detailed. Understanding how to use relative pronouns correctly can greatly enhance your writing and speaking skills.
What Are Relative Pronouns?
Relative pronouns are words that introduce relative clauses, which are clauses that provide more information about a noun in a sentence. The most common relative pronouns in English are who, whom, whose, which, and that. Each of these pronouns serves a different purpose and is used in different contexts.
Who
The pronoun who is used to refer to people. It acts as the subject of the relative clause. For example:
– The teacher who lives next door is very friendly.
– She is the one who called you yesterday.
In both examples, “who” introduces a relative clause that provides more information about the noun it follows (“teacher” and “one,” respectively).
Whom
The pronoun whom is also used to refer to people, but it serves as the object of the relative clause. For example:
– The man whom you saw at the store is my uncle.
– She is the person whom I met at the conference.
Although “whom” is becoming less common in everyday speech, it is still important to know for formal writing.
Whose
The pronoun whose is used to show possession. It can refer to people, animals, or things. For example:
– The student whose book you borrowed is looking for it.
– The house whose roof was damaged by the storm needs repairs.
In these examples, “whose” introduces a relative clause that gives more information about the noun by indicating possession.
Which
The pronoun which is used to refer to animals and things. It can also be used for groups or categories of people. For example:
– The car which I bought last year is very reliable.
– The book which you recommended was excellent.
“Which” introduces a relative clause that provides additional information about the noun it follows.
That
The pronoun that can be used to refer to people, animals, or things. It is often used in defining relative clauses, which are essential to the meaning of the sentence. For example:
– The dog that barked all night kept everyone awake.
– The movie that we watched was very exciting.
In both examples, “that” introduces a relative clause that is crucial to the understanding of the noun it follows.
Defining vs. Non-Defining Relative Clauses
Relative clauses can be divided into two main types: defining and non-defining. Understanding the difference between these two types is crucial for using relative pronouns correctly.
Defining Relative Clauses
Defining relative clauses provide essential information about the noun they follow. Without this information, the meaning of the sentence would be incomplete or unclear. For example:
– The woman who works at the bakery is my aunt.
– The car that is parked outside belongs to John.
In both examples, the relative clauses (“who works at the bakery” and “that is parked outside”) are essential for identifying the noun (“woman” and “car”). If these clauses were removed, the sentences would lose important information.
In defining relative clauses, the relative pronoun “that” can often replace “who” or “which,” especially in informal speech. However, “that” is not used after prepositions or in non-defining relative clauses.
Non-Defining Relative Clauses
Non-defining relative clauses provide extra information about the noun they follow. This information is not essential to the meaning of the sentence and can be omitted without altering the main message. Non-defining relative clauses are always set off by commas. For example:
– My brother, who lives in New York, is visiting us next week.
– The Eiffel Tower, which is in Paris, is a famous landmark.
In these examples, the relative clauses (“who lives in New York” and “which is in Paris”) provide additional information about the nouns (“brother” and “Eiffel Tower”), but the sentences would still make sense without them.
It is important to note that in non-defining relative clauses, you cannot use the pronoun “that.” Only “who,” “whom,” “whose,” and “which” can be used.
Omitting the Relative Pronoun
In some cases, the relative pronoun can be omitted from the sentence, particularly in defining relative clauses when it functions as the object of the clause. For example:
– The book that I read was fascinating.
– The book I read was fascinating.
– The man whom she met is a famous author.
– The man she met is a famous author.
In these examples, the relative pronoun (“that” and “whom”) can be omitted without changing the meaning of the sentence.
However, when the relative pronoun functions as the subject of the clause, it cannot be omitted. For example:
– The teacher who teaches math is very kind. (The relative pronoun “who” cannot be omitted because it is the subject of the clause.)
Relative Adverbs
In addition to relative pronouns, English also uses relative adverbs to introduce relative clauses. The most common relative adverbs are when, where, and why.
When
The relative adverb when is used to refer to a time. For example:
– The day when we met was unforgettable.
– There was a moment when everything changed.
In these examples, “when” introduces a relative clause that provides more information about the time.
Where
The relative adverb where is used to refer to a place. For example:
– The restaurant where we had dinner was excellent.
– This is the house where I grew up.
“Where” introduces a relative clause that provides more information about the place.
Why
The relative adverb why is used to refer to a reason. For example:
– The reason why I called is to invite you to the party.
– There are many reasons why people love traveling.
“Why” introduces a relative clause that provides more information about the reason.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Using relative pronouns correctly can be challenging, especially for those learning English as a second language. Here are some common mistakes and tips on how to avoid them:
Confusing “Who” and “Whom”
One common mistake is confusing “who” and “whom.” Remember that “who” is used as the subject of a clause, while “whom” is used as the object. A simple way to determine which to use is to rephrase the clause as a question. If you can answer with “he” or “she,” use “who.” If you can answer with “him” or “her,” use “whom.” For example:
– The man who called you is my friend. (Who called you? He called you.)
– The man whom you called is my friend. (Whom did you call? You called him.)
Using “That” in Non-Defining Clauses
Another common mistake is using “that” in non-defining relative clauses. Remember that “that” can only be used in defining relative clauses. For example:
– My sister, who lives in London, is coming to visit. (Correct)
– My sister, that lives in London, is coming to visit. (Incorrect)
Omitting Commas in Non-Defining Clauses
Non-defining relative clauses must be set off by commas. Omitting these commas is a common mistake. For example:
– The book, which I borrowed from the library, is very interesting. (Correct)
– The book which I borrowed from the library is very interesting. (Incorrect)
Incorrect Use of “Whose”
Another mistake is using “who’s” instead of “whose.” “Who’s” is a contraction of “who is” or “who has,” while “whose” indicates possession. For example:
– The student whose project won the prize is very talented. (Correct)
– The student who’s project won the prize is very talented. (Incorrect)
Practice Exercises
To help solidify your understanding of relative pronouns, here are some practice exercises:
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blank
Fill in the blanks with the appropriate relative pronoun (who, whom, whose, which, that).
1. The artist _____ painted this portrait is very talented.
2. The car _____ I bought last year is very reliable.
3. The man _____ you met at the conference is a renowned scientist.
4. The house _____ roof was damaged in the storm needs repairs.
5. The reason _____ I called you is to discuss the project.
Exercise 2: Combine Sentences
Combine the following pairs of sentences using a relative pronoun.
1. The teacher is very kind. She teaches math.
2. The book was fascinating. I read it last week.
3. The student is very talented. His project won the prize.
4. The place is beautiful. We visited it last summer.
5. The man is my uncle. You saw him at the store.
Exercise 3: Identify and Correct Mistakes
Identify and correct the mistakes in the following sentences.
1. The woman, that lives next door, is a doctor.
2. The car which I bought last year is very reliable.
3. The man who you saw at the store is my uncle.
4. My brother who’s name is John is visiting us next week.
5. The reason that I called is to invite you to the party.
Conclusion
Relative pronouns are fundamental tools in English grammar that help connect clauses and provide additional information about nouns. By understanding how to use who, whom, whose, which, and that correctly, you can create more detailed and descriptive sentences. Additionally, distinguishing between defining and non-defining relative clauses, knowing when to omit relative pronouns, and using relative adverbs can further enhance your language skills. Practice regularly, and you’ll find that using relative pronouns becomes second nature.
