Relative Pronouns

 

Definition

A relative pronoun is a word used to connect an adjective clause to the main clause in a sentence.

Example

I visited John, who is living in Spain.

Note:

• The relative pronoun is : who
• The adjective clause is : who is living in Spain
• The main clause is : I visited John

Here is a list of relative pronouns:

Main relative pronouns

• Who
• Whom
• Which
• Whose
• That

Less common relative pronouns

• When
• Where
• Whoever
• Whichever
• Whomever
• Wherever
• Whatever

Note:

The pronouns mentioned above are used as relative pronouns as they are used to introduce relative clauses which modify antecedents ( nouns or pronouns), and which give essential or non-essential information about them. Though, they can be used to replace nouns ( e.g. people , animals, events, ideas etc.) in interrogative sentences. In this case, they are considered as interrogative pronouns.

Functions of relative pronouns

The relative pronouns can function as a subject or an object; further, they show a possession of something by people or animals.

The following table introduces the usage of the five main relative pronouns

	Main relative pronouns
	Subject	Object	Possession
People	Who  That	Whom That  Who	Whose
Things	Which  That	Which  That	Whose

Using relative pronouns as a subject

The word who, which, or that can be used as the subject of a relative clause.

• Who used to describe people
• Which used to describe things
• That used to describe people or things

Example

1. The man who/that is standing by the theatre is a famous actor.
2. The cat which/that is near the black broken table stole a piece of cheese from the kitchen.

Using relative pronouns as an object

The word whom, who, which, or that can be used as the object of a relative clause.

• Whom used to describe people

Example

1. A girl whom/that/who I attended the party with was absent from English class.
2. Sophia's father has bought her a new book of grammar, which she maintained in her personal bookcase.

Using relative pronouns to show possession

The word whose is used to indicate a possession of something.

• Whose used to describe people or things

Example

1. The man whose brother is a member of our school basketball team is our new teacher of geography. 
2. Anna's book of Spanish, whose cover includes golden lines, starts by alphabetical Spanish letters as first lesson.

Note: 

Whose means who or which + appropriate possessive adjective ( my, your, her, his, its etc.).

Using relative pronouns with restrictive or non-restrictive relative clauses

A relative pronoun introduces a restrictive or non-restrictive clause. In fact, a restrictive clause introduced by a relative pronoun carries on essential and necessary information to clarify and define the antecedent (noun or pronoun) that it modifies.

Example

• Anna visited her sister who is living in New York.

In this example, the antecedent the relative clause modifies is Anna's sister. The restrictive clause carries on essential information defining whom sister Anna visited.

The main clause may mean that Anna has more than one sister,but the sister Anna visited is that who is living in New York.

In the other hand,  a non-restrictive clause introduced by a relative pronoun carries on non-essential and unnecessary information about the antecedent (noun or pronoun) that it modifies.

Example

• He has got a signature of the famous football player,Lionel Messi, who is playing with FC Barcelona.

In this example, the antecedent the relative clause modifies is Lionel Messi. The non-restrictive clause carries on extra information (not essential) about Lionel Messi.

The main clause means that there is only one famous football player called Lionel Messi.

Note 

A restrictive clause :

1. Carries on essential information about the antecedent
2. Is not set apart by commas (....who....)
3. Used with the relative pronouns who, which, that, whom, or whose

A non-restrictive clause:

1. Carries on extra information about the antecedent 
2. Is set apart by commas (....,who....) (....,who...,...)
3. Used with the relative pronouns who, which, whom, or whose

Omitting relative pronouns

A relative pronoun can be omitted when it introduces a restrictive clause that describes a person or a thing which is the object of the same restrictive clause.

Example

1. I like the interview that/which Alex has made about the cultural diversity in my city.
2. I like the interview Alex has made about the cultural diversity in my city.

Note:

In the example (1), the relative pronoun:

• Introduces the restrictive relative clause describing the word 'interview' which is the object of the same restrictive clause

As result, in the example (2), the relative pronoun is omitted.

Using relative pronouns with prepositions

A relative pronoun can be combined with a preposition to modify the antecedent ( noun or pronoun) that functions as object of a restrictive relative clause.

The relative pronouns can be used are:

• Which 
• Whom
• Whose

Example 

• John has met a man to whom he bought a new car.
• Sophia is looking for a house in which she will spend her vacation.

These examples can be formed in two other ways:

• John has met a man whom/that /who he bought a new car to.
• John has met a man he bought a new car to.
• Sophia is looking for a house which/that she will spend her vacation in.
• Sophia is looking for a house she will spend her vacation in.

Note:

Where and when are also used to introduce a restrictive relative clauses. Although, in formal writing, it is preferable to use in which instead of where and on which instead of when.

Exercises

Exercise (1)

A relative pronoun is used to

1. Modify a relative clause
2. Indroduce a relative clause
3. Give information about a relative clause

A relative pronoun can function 

1. Only as a subject
2. Only as an object
3. As subject, object, or possessive pronoun

A restrictive relative clause carries on

1. Extra information 
2. Unnecessary information
3. Essential information

Exercise (2)

Combine the following pairs of sentences by appropriate relative pronouns, making any changes necessary

1. John wrote a letter to his mother. He was very excited to see her.
2. Anna is working with a boy. He is smarter than her.
3. I brought a beautiful cat. I give it to my sister.
4. I texted a man. I have learnt English with him.
5. My bed is old. I have been sleeping on it for long time.

Answer key

Exercise (1)

2

3

3

Exercise (2)

1. John , who was very excited to see her mother, wrote a letter to her.
2. Anna is working with a boy who/that  is smarter than her. The boy whom/that Anna is working with is smarter than her. The boy with whom Anna is working is smarter than her.
3. I give a beautiful cat, which I brought , to my sister
4. I texted a man whom/that I have learnt English with. I texted a man with whom I have learnt English.
5. The bed which/that I have been sleeping on for long time is old. The bed on which I have been sleeping for long time is old.