Relative pronouns are a fundamental aspect of the English language, acting as connectors that link clauses together. Understanding how to use them correctly can greatly improve your writing and speaking skills. This article will delve into what relative pronouns are, their functions, and how to use them effectively in sentences.
What Are Relative Pronouns?
Relative pronouns are words that introduce relative clauses, which add extra information to a sentence without starting a new one. The most common relative pronouns in English are who, whom, whose, which, and that. Each of these pronouns serves a different purpose and is used in different contexts.
Who and Whom
The pronouns who and whom are used to refer to people. “Who” acts as the subject of a verb, while “whom” serves as the object of a verb or preposition.
For example:
– The woman who called you is my aunt. (Here, “who” is the subject of the verb “called.”)
– The man whom you met yesterday is my uncle. (In this case, “whom” is the object of the verb “met.”)
It’s worth noting that in informal speech, “whom” is often replaced by “who,” but using “whom” correctly can make your language more polished.
Whose
The pronoun whose indicates possession and can refer to both people and things. It replaces the possessive pronouns “his,” “her,” “its,” and “their.”
For example:
– The student whose book was lost is very upset. (Here, “whose” shows that the book belongs to the student.)
– The house whose roof was damaged needs repairs. (In this case, “whose” indicates possession by the house.)
Which
The pronoun which is used to refer to animals and things. It can introduce both defining (restrictive) and non-defining (non-restrictive) relative clauses.
For example:
– The car which is parked outside is mine. (Here, “which” introduces a defining clause that specifies which car is being talked about.)
– My car, which I bought last year, is very reliable. (In this case, “which” introduces a non-defining clause that adds extra information about the car.)
That
The pronoun that is quite versatile and can refer to people, animals, or things. It is used mainly in defining relative clauses.
For example:
– The book that you lent me is fascinating. (Here, “that” specifies which book is being referred to.)
– The girl that won the competition is my friend. (In this case, “that” introduces a clause that identifies the girl.)
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 provide essential information about the noun they modify. Without this clause, the meaning of the sentence would be unclear. These clauses are not set off by commas.
For example:
– The teacher who teaches math is very strict. (Here, the clause “who teaches math” is essential to identify which teacher is being talked about.)
In defining relative clauses, you can use “that” instead of “who” or “which,” but this is more common in informal English.
Non-Defining Relative Clauses
Non-defining relative clauses add extra information about the noun they modify. This information is not essential to the meaning of the sentence and is set off by commas.
For example:
– My brother, who lives in New York, is coming to visit. (In this case, “who lives in New York” is additional information about “my brother.”)
In non-defining relative clauses, you cannot use “that” in place of “who” or “which.”
Omitting Relative Pronouns
In some cases, relative pronouns can be omitted without changing the meaning of the sentence. This usually happens in defining relative clauses where the relative pronoun is the object of the verb.
For example:
– The book (that) you gave me is excellent. (Here, “that” can be omitted.)
– The person (whom) I saw was very tall. (In this case, “whom” can be omitted.)
However, when the relative pronoun is the subject of the verb, it cannot be omitted.
For example:
– The man who called is my friend. (Here, “who” cannot be omitted because it is the subject of the verb “called.”)
Prepositions and Relative Pronouns
When a relative pronoun is the object of a preposition, the preposition can either precede the pronoun or come at the end of the relative clause.
For example:
– The house in which she lives is very old. (Here, the preposition “in” comes before the relative pronoun “which.”)
– The house which she lives in is very old. (In this case, the preposition “in” comes at the end of the relative clause.)
When using “whom” as the object of a preposition, it is more formal to place the preposition before the pronoun.
For example:
– The person with whom I spoke was very helpful. (Here, “with” comes before “whom.”)
In informal speech, the preposition often comes at the end.
For example:
– The person whom I spoke with was very helpful. (In this case, “with” comes at the end of the clause.)
Common Mistakes with Relative Pronouns
Even advanced English learners sometimes make mistakes with relative pronouns. Here are a few common errors and how to avoid them:
Using “Which” for People
“Which” should not be used to refer to people. Instead, use “who” or “whom.”
Incorrect: The man which you met is my uncle.
Correct: The man whom you met is my uncle.
Confusing “Who” and “Whom”
Remember that “who” is used as the subject, and “whom” is used as the object of a verb or preposition.
Incorrect: The person who I saw was very tall.
Correct: The person whom I saw was very tall.
Misplacing Prepositions
While it is acceptable in informal English to place prepositions at the end of a clause, in formal writing, the preposition should precede the relative pronoun.
Informal: The person whom I spoke with was very helpful.
Formal: The person with whom I spoke was very helpful.
Using “That” in Non-Defining Clauses
Do not use “that” in non-defining relative clauses. Instead, use “who” or “which.”
Incorrect: My brother, that lives in New York, is coming to visit.
Correct: My brother, who lives in New York, is coming to visit.
Practice Exercises
To reinforce your understanding of relative pronouns, here are some practice exercises. Try to complete them and then check your answers.
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
1. The book ____ you lent me is fascinating.
2. The woman ____ called you is my aunt.
3. The car ____ is parked outside is mine.
4. The student ____ book was lost is very upset.
5. My brother, ____ lives in New York, is coming to visit.
Exercise 2: Correct the Sentences
1. The person which you met is my friend.
2. The man whom called is my uncle.
3. The house which she lives in is very old.
4. My friend, that is a teacher, is very kind.
5. The person who I spoke with was very helpful.
Answers
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
1. that/which
2. who
3. that/which
4. whose
5. who
Exercise 2: Correct the Sentences
1. The person whom you met is my friend.
2. The man who called is my uncle.
3. The house in which she lives is very old.
4. My friend, who is a teacher, is very kind.
5. The person with whom I spoke was very helpful.
Conclusion
Mastering relative pronouns is essential for anyone learning English. They help to create complex, nuanced sentences and provide additional information without the need for multiple sentences. By understanding the functions of who, whom, whose, which, and that, and by practicing their use, you can significantly enhance your language skills. Keep practicing, and soon using relative pronouns will become second nature to you.
