Relative Pronouns in English Grammar

Relative pronouns are essential for understanding dependent clauses in the English language. These pronouns include “who,” “whom,” “whose,” “which,” and “that.” Each serves a specific role in sentences, helping to make your speech and writing more precise and clear. Knowing how to use these pronouns correctly is crucial for effective communication.

You will learn about each relative pronoun, their specific uses, and the rules that govern them. You will also see examples and get tips for reducing relative pronouns in sentences. This lesson aims to enhance your grasp of relative pronouns, making you more confident in using them.

What Is a Relative Pronoun?

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A relative pronoun is a pronoun that relates to the word it modifies and is not specific. Examples include who, whom, which, whose, and that. This pronoun links two clauses into one complex clause, similar to a subordinating conjunction. Unlike a conjunction, a relative pronoun stands in place of a noun.

Relative Pronouns List

Who

Used for people

• The woman who called yesterday wants to buy the house.

Can act as the subject or the object of the relative clause

• Cindy, who taught me English, has just got married.
• I discussed it with my brother, who is a lawyer.

Which

Used for things and animals

• Did you see the letter which came today?
• I love the puppy which is jumping in the kitchen.

Can act as the subject or the object of the relative clause

• His best movie, which won several awards, was about the life of Gandhi.
• She can’t come to my birthday party, which makes me sad.

That

Used for people, things, and animals (who and which can be replaced by that, which we use commonly in spoken English)

• The girl that we met in France has sent us a card.
• We live in a ground floor flat that backs onto a busy street.
• Do you like the cat that is sleeping underneath the table?

Can act as the subject or the object of the relative clause

• I’ll tell you a secret that is very interesting.
• This is the book that I bought.

Whose

Used for possessions of people, animals

• He’s a man whose opinion I respect.
• She’s the student whose handwriting is the best in my class.

Whom

Used for people when the person is the object of the verb

• The author whom you criticized in your review has written a letter in reply.

Note for relative pronouns:

The best way to know which pronoun to use is to look at the noun before it.

For example:

• This is the car that I drove to Paris.

The noun before “that” is “car”, which is a thing, so you can use the pronouns “that” or “which”.

In the sentence I know a woman who is a doctor, the noun “woman” is a person, so you can use “who” or “that” after it.

Relative Pronoun Reduction

Relative pronouns can sometimes be left out of sentences when their meaning is still clear. For example, in the sentence, “I bought a book that my sister recommended,” the word “that” is not needed. If the relative pronoun acts as the subject, it must remain in the sentence. Otherwise, you can usually drop it.