GRAMMAR
Relative Pronouns
What are relative pronouns?
A relative pronoun is a pronoun that introduces a relative clause within a complex sentence.
In the example:
Mike found the keys that he had lost.
that is a relative pronoun which introduces the relative clause that he had lost.
In English, the relative pronouns are who, whom, which, whose, and that.
Relative pronouns
1. who - subject or object pronoun for people.
Examples:
- They caught the lady who killed her baby.
- I know the man who you met.
2. which - subject or object pronoun
Examples:
- I read the book which is on the table.
- I visited the town which you told me about.
3. which - referring to a whole sentence
Example;
- They were unsuccessful which is disappointing.
4. whom - used for object pronoun for people, especially in non-restrictive relative clauses (in restrictive relative clauses use who)
Example:
- The boy whom you told me about got the best grades in mathematics.
5. that - subject or object pronoun for people, animals, and things in restrictive relative clauses (who or which are also possible)
- I like the vase that is over there.