Relative pronouns play a crucial role in forming complex sentences in English. They help to connect clauses, making sentences richer and more informative. Understanding how to use relative pronouns correctly can enhance your writing and speaking skills, providing clarity and depth to your communication. This article will explore the different relative pronouns, their functions, and how to use them effectively in complex sentences.
What Are Relative Pronouns?
Relative pronouns are words that introduce relative clauses, which are dependent clauses that provide additional information about a noun in the main clause. The most commonly used relative pronouns in English are who, whom, whose, which, and that. Each of these pronouns has specific uses and rules that govern when and how they should be used.
Who and Whom
Who and whom are used to refer to people. Who is used as the subject of a verb, while whom is used as the object of a verb or preposition. Let’s look at some examples:
– The teacher who taught us last year is retiring.
– The man whom you met yesterday is my uncle.
In the first sentence, “who” is the subject of the verb “taught.” In the second sentence, “whom” is the object of the verb “met.”
Whose
Whose is used to show possession. It can refer to people, animals, or things. Here are some examples:
– The student whose book you borrowed is looking for it.
– The house whose roof was damaged is being repaired.
In both sentences, “whose” indicates possession. In the first sentence, it shows that the book belongs to the student. In the second sentence, it shows that the roof belongs to the house.
Which
Which is used to refer to animals and things. It can be used in both defining and non-defining relative clauses. For example:
– The car which I bought last year is already having problems.
– The book, which is on the table, is mine.
In the first sentence, “which” introduces a defining relative clause that provides essential information about the car. In the second sentence, “which” introduces a non-defining relative clause that adds extra information about the book.
That
That can refer to people, animals, or things. It is typically used in defining relative clauses. Here are some examples:
– The movie that we watched was exciting.
– The woman that you saw is my neighbor.
In both sentences, “that” introduces a defining relative clause that provides essential information about the noun it follows.
Defining and Non-Defining Relative Clauses
Understanding the difference between defining and non-defining relative clauses is crucial for using relative pronouns correctly.
Defining Relative Clauses
Defining relative clauses (also known as restrictive clauses) provide essential information about the noun they modify. This information is necessary to understand the meaning of the sentence. Defining relative clauses are not set off by commas. For example:
– The student who scored the highest in the exam will receive a prize.
– The book that you lent me was fascinating.
In both sentences, the relative clauses are essential to the meaning of the sentences. Without them, the sentences would be incomplete or unclear.
Non-Defining Relative Clauses
Non-defining relative clauses (also known as non-restrictive clauses) add extra information about the noun they modify. This information is not essential to the meaning of the sentence and can be omitted without changing the overall meaning. Non-defining relative clauses are set off by commas. For example:
– My brother, who lives in New York, is visiting us next week.
– The Eiffel Tower, which is located in Paris, is a famous landmark.
In both sentences, the relative clauses add extra information that is not necessary for understanding the main point of the sentences.
Omitting the Relative Pronoun
In some cases, the relative pronoun can be omitted, especially in defining relative clauses. This usually happens when the relative pronoun is the object of the verb in the relative clause. For example:
– The book that I read was interesting. -> The book I read was interesting.
– The person whom you called is not available. -> The person you called is not available.
In both sentences, the relative pronoun can be omitted without changing the meaning of the sentence. However, if the relative pronoun is the subject of the verb in the relative clause, it cannot be omitted. For example:
– The man who called you is my friend. -> The man called you is my friend. (Incorrect)
Prepositions and Relative Pronouns
When a relative pronoun is the object of a preposition, the preposition can either come before the relative pronoun or at the end of the relative clause. For example:
– The house in which I grew up is being sold.
– The house which I grew up in is being sold.
Both sentences are correct, but the first sentence is more formal. Note that when the preposition comes before the relative pronoun, “whom” is used instead of “who” for people:
– The person to whom I spoke was very helpful.
– The person whom I spoke to was very helpful.
Again, both sentences are correct, but the first one is more formal.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Using relative pronouns correctly can be challenging, especially for learners of English as a second language. Here are some common mistakes and tips on how to avoid them:
Using “who” instead of “whom”
As mentioned earlier, “who” is used as the subject of a verb, while “whom” is used as the object of a verb or preposition. A common mistake is using “who” when “whom” should be used. To avoid this mistake, try rephrasing the sentence to see if “him” or “her” fits. If it does, use “whom.” For example:
– The person who you met (Incorrect)
– The person whom you met (Correct)
Rephrase: You met him (him = whom).
Omitting necessary relative pronouns
While it’s sometimes possible to omit the relative pronoun, doing so when it is necessary can lead to confusion or incorrect sentences. Make sure to include the relative pronoun when it is the subject of the verb in the relative clause:
– The book that is on the table is mine. (Correct)
– The book is on the table is mine. (Incorrect)
Using “which” for people
“Which” should be used for animals and things, not people. For people, use “who” or “whom”:
– The man which you saw is my friend. (Incorrect)
– The man who you saw is my friend. (Correct)
Exercises to Practice Relative Pronouns
To master the use of relative pronouns, practice is essential. Here are some exercises to help you:
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Fill in the blanks with the correct relative pronoun (who, whom, whose, which, that).
1. The woman ________ called you is my aunt.
2. The car ________ he bought was expensive.
3. The student ________ homework was late got a detention.
4. The movie ________ we watched was boring.
5. The person ________ you spoke to is the manager.
Exercise 2: Combine Sentences
Combine the following pairs of sentences using relative pronouns.
1. The book is on the table. The book is mine.
2. The man is my neighbor. You saw the man yesterday.
3. The house is being renovated. The house is old.
4. The teacher is retiring. The teacher taught us last year.
5. The cat is very friendly. The cat belongs to my friend.
Exercise 3: Correct the Mistakes
Find and correct the mistakes in the following sentences.
1. The person which you met is my brother.
2. The car who is parked outside is mine.
3. The woman whom called you is my mother.
4. The house, that is on the corner, is for sale.
5. The student who’s book you borrowed is absent.
Answers
Exercise 1
1. The woman who called you is my aunt.
2. The car which he bought was expensive.
3. The student whose homework was late got a detention.
4. The movie that we watched was boring.
5. The person whom you spoke to is the manager.
Exercise 2
1. The book which is on the table is mine.
2. The man whom you saw yesterday is my neighbor.
3. The house which is old is being renovated.
4. The teacher who taught us last year is retiring.
5. The cat which belongs to my friend is very friendly.
Exercise 3
1. The person whom you met is my brother.
2. The car which is parked outside is mine.
3. The woman who called you is my mother.
4. The house, which is on the corner, is for sale.
5. The student whose book you borrowed is absent.
Conclusion
Relative pronouns are essential tools for constructing complex sentences that are clear and informative. By understanding the functions of who, whom, whose, which, and that, and knowing when to use them, you can significantly improve your English writing and speaking skills. Practice using relative pronouns in different contexts, and soon you will find that your sentences flow more naturally and convey more precise information. Happy learning!
