Relative pronouns are a fundamental component of English grammar that often puzzles language learners. These tiny yet powerful words serve the critical function of linking clauses together, providing additional information about a noun without starting a new sentence. Mastering the use of relative pronouns can enhance your writing and speaking abilities, making your communication more fluid and precise.
What Are Relative Pronouns?
Relative pronouns are words that introduce relative clauses, which are clauses that describe a noun mentioned previously in the sentence. The most commonly used relative pronouns in English are who, whom, whose, which, and that. Each of these pronouns has specific rules regarding its usage, and understanding these rules is essential for proper sentence construction.
Who and Whom
The relative pronouns who and whom are used to refer to people.
Who is used as the subject of a relative clause:
– The teacher who inspired me the most was Mrs. Smith.
– She is the one who called you last night.
In these sentences, who acts as the subject of the verbs ‘inspired’ and ‘called.’
Whom, on the other hand, is used as the object of a relative clause:
– The person whom you met yesterday is my friend.
– He is the man whom I was talking about.
In these examples, whom is the object of the verbs ‘met’ and ‘was talking about.’
A helpful tip to determine whether to use who or whom is to see if you can replace the relative pronoun with ‘he’ or ‘him.’ If ‘he’ fits, use who. If ‘him’ fits, use whom.
Whose
The relative pronoun whose shows possession and can refer to both people and things:
– The artist whose painting won the award is very talented.
– I found the book whose cover was torn.
In these sentences, whose indicates possession of ‘painting’ and ‘cover.’
Which
The relative pronoun which is used to refer to animals and things:
– The car which I bought last year is already broken.
– She showed me the picture which she had painted.
In these examples, which provides additional information about ‘car’ and ‘picture.’
That
The relative pronoun that is more versatile as it can refer to people, animals, and things:
– The movie that we watched was thrilling.
– The dog that barked all night kept everyone awake.
– The student that won the prize is in my class.
In these sentences, that links the relative clauses to ‘movie,’ ‘dog,’ and ‘student.’
Defining and Non-Defining Relative Clauses
Relative clauses can be categorized into two types: defining (or restrictive) and non-defining (or non-restrictive). Understanding the difference between these two types is crucial for proper punctuation and meaning.
Defining Relative Clauses
Defining relative clauses provide essential information about the noun they describe. Without this information, the meaning of the sentence would be incomplete. These clauses are not set off by commas:
– The book that I borrowed from the library is overdue.
– The woman who lives next door is very friendly.
In these examples, the clauses ‘that I borrowed from the library’ and ‘who lives next door’ are crucial for understanding which book and which woman are being referred to.
Non-Defining Relative Clauses
Non-defining relative clauses add extra information about the noun, but this information is not essential to the overall meaning of the sentence. These clauses are set off by commas:
– My brother, who lives in New York, is coming to visit.
– The Eiffel Tower, which is located in Paris, is a famous landmark.
In these sentences, the clauses ‘who lives in New York’ and ‘which is located in Paris’ provide additional information but are not necessary to identify ‘my brother’ or ‘the Eiffel Tower.’
When to Use ‘That’ and ‘Which’
A common point of confusion for many learners is deciding when to use that and which. Here are some guidelines:
– Use that for defining relative clauses:
– The car that I want is very expensive.
– The book that you lent me was fascinating.
– Use which for non-defining relative clauses:
– My car, which I bought last year, is already broken.
– The book, which has a blue cover, is on the table.
Remember, that is generally not used in non-defining relative clauses.
Omitting the Relative Pronoun
In some cases, the relative pronoun can be omitted, particularly in defining relative clauses. This usually happens when the relative pronoun is the object of the clause:
– The book that I read was thrilling. → The book I read was thrilling.
– The man whom she met is a doctor. → The man she met is a doctor.
However, if the relative pronoun is the subject of the clause, it cannot be omitted:
– The person who called you is my friend. (Cannot be: The person called you is my friend.)
Prepositions in Relative Clauses
Relative pronouns can also be used with prepositions. When a preposition is involved, there are two structures to consider:
1. Placing the preposition before the relative pronoun:
– The person to whom I spoke was very helpful.
– The book about which we were talking is out of print.
2. Placing the preposition at the end of the clause (more common in spoken English):
– The person who I spoke to was very helpful.
– The book which we were talking about is out of print.
Note that when the preposition is at the end, who is used instead of whom.
Relative Pronouns in Indirect Questions
Relative pronouns are also used in indirect questions:
– Do you know who she is?
– I wonder whom they invited to the party.
In these sentences, the relative pronouns introduce a clause that provides more information about the subject of the main clause.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Using ‘Who’ and ‘Whom’ Incorrectly
Many learners struggle with using who and whom correctly. Remember, who is used as a subject, and whom is used as an object. If you are unsure, try substituting ‘he’ or ‘him’ to see which fits better.
Confusing ‘That’ and ‘Which’
Using that and which interchangeably can lead to confusion. Remember, that is used for defining clauses, and which is used for non-defining clauses.
Omitting the Relative Pronoun When It’s the Subject
Omitting the relative pronoun when it serves as the subject of the clause is a common mistake. Ensure that if the relative pronoun is the subject, it remains in the sentence.
Practice Exercises
To solidify your understanding of relative pronouns, try these practice exercises:
1. Combine the following sentences using the appropriate relative pronoun:
– I met a woman. She is a famous author.
– The cake was delicious. You baked it.
2. Identify whether the relative clauses in the following sentences are defining or non-defining:
– The house, which is painted blue, is mine.
– The house that is painted blue is mine.
3. Rewrite the sentences by omitting the relative pronoun where possible:
– The movie that we watched was thrilling.
– The man whom she met is a doctor.
4. Place the preposition correctly in the sentences:
– The person to whom I was speaking.
– The chair on which I sat.
Conclusion
Relative pronouns are essential for creating complex, informative sentences in English. By understanding the rules and nuances of who, whom, whose, which, and that, you can enhance your language skills and communicate more effectively. Practice using these pronouns in various contexts, and soon their correct usage will become second nature. Happy learning!
