GV

Relative Pronouns

Using who, whom, whose, which, and that to connect clauses

intermediate

When to Use Relative Pronouns

  • •Who for people (subject): The woman who called is my aunt.
  • •Whom for people (object, formal): The person whom I met was kind.
  • •Whose for possession: The man whose car was stolen reported it.
  • •Which for things: The book which I read was interesting.
  • •That for people or things (defining clauses): The car that I bought is red.

How to Form Relative Pronouns

Affirmative (+)

Noun + relative pronoun + clause

Negative (-)

Same structure; negation in the relative clause

Question (?)

Relative pronouns rarely start questions; use in statements

💡 That can replace who/which in defining clauses. Whom is formal; who is often used instead.

Examples of Relative Pronouns

✓The teacher who helped me was kind.

✗The teacher which helped me was kind.

Use who for people.

✓The book that I read was great.

✗The book who I read was great.

Use that/which for things.

✓The girl whose bag was stolen cried.

✗The girl who's bag was stolen cried.

Whose = possession; who's = who is.

Common Mistakes with Relative Pronouns

💡 Practice Tips for Relative Pronouns

  • • People: who (subject), whom (object), whose (possession).
  • • Things: which or that.
  • • That can replace who/which in defining clauses.
  • • Whose shows possession for people or things.
Quick Quiz
  1. 1.The woman   lives next door is a doctor.
  2. Question 2: I lost the umbrella blank you gave me last week.
    2.I lost the umbrella you gave me last week.
  3. Question 3: That's the boy blank bag was stolen at the station. (possession)
    3.That's the boy bag was stolen at the station. (possession)
  4. Question 4: The novel blank (which) I'm reading is set in Paris.
    4.The novel (which) I'm reading is set in Paris.
  5. Question 5: Sarah, blank I met at the conference, sent me an email. (formal, object)
    5.Sarah, I met at the conference, sent me an email. (formal, object)
  6. 6.The car   I bought last month has already broken down.
  7. Question 7: I need to find someone blank (possession) skills match the job.
    7.I need to find someone (possession) skills match the job.
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