🎯 Objective
To help learners master the correct usage of relative pronouns (who, whom, whose, which, that, where, when, why) to create complex sentences and improve fluency in both spoken and written English.
📖 Grammar Focus
Relative pronouns connect clauses and provide additional information about a noun. They help us combine simple sentences into more sophisticated, flowing text without repetition.
| Relative Pronoun | Used For | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Who | People (subject) | The woman who lives next door is a doctor. |
| Whom | People (object) | The man whom I met yesterday was very kind. |
| Whose | Possession | The student whose book was stolen felt upset. |
| Which | Things/animals | The car which I bought last year is very reliable. |
| That | People/things (restrictive) | The book that you recommended was excellent. |
| Where | Places | This is the school where I studied. |
| When | Time | I remember the day when we first met. |
| Why | Reason | That's the reason why he left early. |
📚 Step-by-Step Guide: Mastering Relative Pronouns
Understanding Relative Pronouns
What are Relative Pronouns? They introduce relative clauses that give extra information about a noun in the main clause. They help us avoid repetition and create more sophisticated sentences.
Key Function: They replace a noun in the relative clause and connect it to the main clause.
The 8 Essential Relative Pronouns
1. 👤 WHO (People - Subject)
Usage: Refers to people in the subject position
Function: Replaces he/she/they in the relative clause
Example: The teacher who explains clearly is popular
Cannot be omitted when it's the subject
2. 👥 WHOM (People - Object)
Usage: Refers to people in the object position (formal)
Function: Replaces him/her/them in the relative clause
Example: The person whom I called didn't answer
Modern usage: Often replaced by "who" or omitted
3. 🏠 WHOSE (Possession)
Usage: Shows possession for people, animals, or things
Function: Replaces his/her/its/their
Example: The family whose house burned down needs help
Structure: whose + noun (never "whose's")
4. 📦 WHICH (Things/Animals)
Usage: Refers to things, animals, or situations
Function: Can be subject or object in relative clause
Example: The movie which won the award was excellent
With prepositions: The tool with which he worked
5. 🎯 THAT (People/Things - Restrictive)
Usage: Defines/restricts the noun (essential information)
Function: More informal than who/which
Example: The book that I'm reading is fascinating
Note: Cannot follow prepositions or commas
6. 📍 WHERE (Places)
Usage: Refers to places or situations
Function: Replaces prepositional phrases (in which, at which)
Example: The restaurant where we met has closed
Abstract places: situations where, cases where
7. ⏰ WHEN (Time)
Usage: Refers to time expressions
Function: Replaces time prepositions (on which, in which)
Example: The year when I graduated was memorable
Common with: day, time, moment, year, period
8. ❓ WHY (Reason)
Usage: Refers to reasons
Function: Replaces "for which"
Example: The reason why she left is unclear
Often omitted: The reason (why) he came...
Defining vs Non-Defining Relative Clauses
Defining (Restrictive) Clauses:
- Purpose: Essential information that identifies the noun
- Punctuation: No commas
- Pronouns: who, whom, whose, which, that, where, when, why
- Example: Students who study hard get good grades
- Can often omit: object pronouns (whom, which, that)
Non-Defining (Non-Restrictive) Clauses:
- Purpose: Extra information that can be removed
- Punctuation: Surrounded by commas
- Pronouns: who, whom, whose, which (NOT that)
- Example: My brother, who lives in Paris, is visiting
- Cannot omit: the relative pronoun
Key Differences:
- Meaning: Defining = specifies which one; Non-defining = adds extra info
- Necessity: Defining = essential; Non-defining = optional
- Pronunciation: Non-defining has pauses (commas in writing)
- That: Only used in defining clauses
When Can You Omit Relative Pronouns?
✅ CAN Omit (Object Position):
- Whom: The person (whom) I saw → The person I saw
- Which: The book (which) I read → The book I read
- That: The movie (that) we watched → The movie we watched
- When: The day (when) I arrived → The day I arrived
- Why: The reason (why) he left → The reason he left
❌ CANNOT Omit (Subject Position):
- Who: The man who called ✓ / The man called ✗
- Which: The car which crashed ✓ / The car crashed ✗
- That: The book that fell ✓ / The book fell ✗
- Whose: Always required for possession
- Where: Cannot be omitted
Common Patterns and Advanced Usage
Prepositions with Relative Pronouns:
Formal: The pen with which I wrote → The pen I wrote with
Informal: The person whom I spoke to → The person I spoke to
Note: "That" cannot follow prepositions directly
Quantifiers with Relative Pronouns:
Examples: some of whom, many of which, all of whom, most of which
Usage: The students, most of whom passed, celebrated
What vs Which:
What: Used without an antecedent (What you said is true)
Which: Used with a specific antecedent (The advice which you gave)
🧩 Task: Choose the Correct Relative Pronoun
Read each sentence and select the most appropriate relative pronoun. Some may have multiple correct options.
📝 Complete the Sentences:
1. The teacher _____ explains grammar clearly is very popular with students.
2. I can't find the book _____ cover is blue and _____ I borrowed last week.
3. The restaurant _____ we had dinner last night was expensive, _____ surprised us.
4. Do you remember the day _____ we first met and the reason _____ you were late?
5. My sister, _____ lives in London, has a job _____ requires a lot of traveling.
1. ✅ Complete sentence 1 with the correct relative pronoun:
2. ✅ Complete sentence 2 with the correct relative pronouns (two needed):
3. ✅ Complete sentence 3 with the correct relative pronouns (two needed):
4. ✅ Complete sentence 4 with the correct relative pronouns (two needed):
5. ✅ Complete sentence 5 with the correct relative pronouns (two needed):
✅ Answer Key & Explanation
1. ✅ Sentence 1:
Answer: "who" OR "that"
Explanation: Both are correct. "Who" is used for people in subject position. "That" can also be used in defining relative clauses for people or things.
Complete sentence: The teacher who/that explains grammar clearly is very popular with students.
2. ✅ Sentence 2:
Answer: "whose" and "which/that/(omitted)"
Explanation: "Whose" shows possession (the book's cover). The second blank needs "which," "that," or can be omitted since it's in object position.
Complete sentence: I can't find the book whose cover is blue and which/that/(omitted) I borrowed last week.
3. ✅ Sentence 3:
Answer: "where" and "which"
Explanation: "Where" refers to the place (restaurant). "Which" refers to the whole previous clause (non-defining, so needs comma and cannot use "that").
Complete sentence: The restaurant where we had dinner last night was expensive, which surprised us.
4. ✅ Sentence 4:
Answer: "when" and "why"
Explanation: "When" refers to time (the day). "Why" refers to reason. Both can often be omitted in modern English.
Complete sentence: Do you remember the day when we first met and the reason why you were late?
5. ✅ Sentence 5:
Answer: "who" and "which/that"
Explanation: First is non-defining (extra info about sister), so "who" with commas. Second is defining clause about the job, so "which" or "that" both work.
Complete sentence: My sister, who lives in London, has a job which/that requires a lot of traveling.
🏆 Complex Examples and Advanced Usage
Advanced Relative Clause Combinations:
Multiple Relative Clauses:
- The student who studies hard and whose parents support her will succeed.
- The company which hired me and where I now work is very progressive.
Prepositions in Relative Clauses:
- Formal: The university to which I applied → Informal: The university (which/that) I applied to
- Formal: The person with whom I traveled → Informal: The person (who/that) I traveled with
Quantifiers with Relative Pronouns:
- There were 50 applicants, most of whom were qualified.
- She has written several books, all of which became bestsellers.
- The team had many problems, some of which were easily solved.
Reduced Relative Clauses:
- The woman (who is) sitting over there is my aunt.
- The documents (which were) signed yesterday are important.
- Anyone (who is) interested should contact me.
Common Errors to Avoid:
- ❌ Double pronoun: The man who he called → ✅ The man who called
- ❌ Wrong pronoun: The book who I read → ✅ The book which/that I read
- ❌ Missing comma: My father who is 60 → ✅ My father, who is 60,
- ❌ That with comma: London, that is big → ✅ London, which is big
- ❌ Whose with 's: The man whose's car → ✅ The man whose car
Quick Decision Guide:
- People + Subject: who/that
- People + Object: whom/who/that/(omit)
- Things + Subject: which/that
- Things + Object: which/that/(omit)
- Possession: whose (never omit)
- Place: where
- Time: when/(omit)
- Reason: why/(omit)
- Non-defining: who, whom, whose, which (never "that")