Relative Pronoun

A relative pronoun is a word that relates to the noun or pronoun which we use before it.

Kind of relative pronouns

  1. Who
  2. Whose
  3. Whom
  4. Which
  5. That
  6. What

Use of who and whom

Relative Pronouns, who (subjective case) and whom (objective case) both we use for humans.

Relative pronoun by Alok Pandey
  • I met Alexander, whom you invited.
  • This is the boy who works diligently.
  • The woman who lived there died today.
  • This is the boy whom all praises.
  • The man who is wearing a white shirt is a teacher.
  • My son, who is learning English.
  • The man who is honest is trusted.
  • Linda is the girl whom he loves.
  • The boy who was lazy was sleeping.
  • The boys who were latent were learning.
  • I who am your friend will help you.
Relative pronoun example By Alok Pandey, an English teacher.

Use of which

This relative Pronoun we use for the nonliving, animal, the whole sentence, and for the choice.

  • The moment, which is lost, is lost forever.
  • The book which you bought is helpful.
  • This is the house which belongs to me.
  • The flower which is in this garden is not for sale.
  • This is the dog which bit me.
  • He has the picture which you needed.

For the whole clause and sentences.

  • The girl was said to be drunk, which was not the truth.
  • He said he saw me in the garden, which was a lie.
  • You are here, which is fortunate.
  • He has paid off his debt, which is a proof of his honesty.

For choice

  • The mother knows which of his children is hungry.
  • Which of the following players has won.
  • Which of these gentlemen is Mr. John.

Use of whose (Relative Pronoun)

This relative pronoun, we use for humans only for formal English.

  • This is the boy whose father lives in London
  • The boy whose family always supports you is my friend.
  • Linda is the girl whose parents are poor.

The below-underlined sentences are correct for the exam purpose, but without underlining, sentences are correct for modern English.

  • The dog whose name was Tommy
  • The dog, the name of which was Tommy.
  • A triangle whose three sides are equal.
  • A triangle, the three sides of which are equal.
  • A house whose walls are painted looks beautiful.
  • A house the walls of which are painted looks beautiful.
  • This machine, whose cost is high.
  • The machine, the cost of which is high.

Use of that (Relative Pronoun)

  • We use it after man & animal, two antecedents.
  • We use it after (All, everything, nothing, the only, the same, any, the few, and the little).
  • One can use after superlative degree, and after interrogative pronoun.

After two antecedents.

  • The yoga teacher and his dog, that are generally seen around.
  • The man and his book that were seen yesterday.
  • The girl and her doll that were near the school.

After (All, everything, nothing, the only, the same, any, the few, and the little)

  1. All that glitters is not gold.
  2. I have given you everything that I had.
  3. He got the few books that he lost yesterday.
  4. I do nothing that can hurt you.
  5. This is the only medicine that can save her.
  6. You have asked the same question that he asked.
  7. She has got the little money that he deserves.

With superlative degree

  1. She is the most beautiful girl that I have ever seen.
  2. This is the worst movie that I have ever seen.
  3. You are the finest friend that I knew.
  4. This is the tallest building that one can see from a distance.

After interrogative pronoun

  1. What is there that is impossible for God?
  2. Who is there that is making a noise?
  3. What is it that has disturbed you?
  4. Whose is this dress that looks beautiful?

Use of what (Relative Pronoun)

It does not have an antecedent.

  1. I say what I mean.
  2. I mean what I say.
  3. What is done can not be undone?
  4. He found what he was looking for?
  5. You can wear whatever you want?

Some important links