Relative Pronoun: How to use them in English

In English grammar, relative pronouns are essential for connecting clauses and adding more information about a noun without starting a new sentence. Understanding relative pronouns will help improve sentence structure, make writing more fluid, and enhance overall communication skills.

This article will provide a detailed explanation of relative pronouns, their types, examples, and correct usage in sentences. By the end of this guide, you will be able to use relative pronouns confidently and avoid common mistakes.

In this article, you will learn what relative pronouns are, examples of relative pronouns, how to use them correctly, and useful everyday examples of sentences using relative pronouns.

What is a Relative Pronoun?

A relative pronoun is a pronoun that introduces a relative clause, which gives additional information about a noun or pronoun in the sentence. Relative pronouns help connect two related ideas into one sentence, making communication clearer and more concise.

For example:

• The book that you lent me was very interesting.
• She is the teacher who helped me improve my English.

In these sentences, that and who are relative pronouns that introduce additional details about “the book” and “the teacher.”

Importance of Using Relative Pronouns Correctly

• Enhances Sentence Clarity – Helps in avoiding repetition and redundancy.
• Improves Sentence Structure – Connects ideas smoothly.
• Makes Writing More Engaging – Adds detail without making sentences too long.
• Essential for Formal and Academic Writing – Used frequently in essays, reports, and professional communication.

Definition of Relative Pronoun

A relative pronoun is a word that introduces a relative clause, which provides more information about a noun in the main sentence.

How Relative Pronouns Function in a Sentence

• Connecting Clauses:
• She met a man who is a famous actor.
• Referring to People, Places, or Things:
• This is the city where I was born.

Difference Between Relative Pronouns and Other Pronouns

List of Common Relative Pronouns

Here are the most commonly used relative pronouns:

Who, Whom, Whose (Used for people)

• Who → Refers to the subject of the clause (The person who called you is my friend.)
• Whom → Refers to the object of the clause (The doctor whom I visited was very kind.)
• Whose → Indicates possession (She is the girl whose mother is a doctor.)

Which, That (Used for things and animals)

• Which → Adds extra information (The car, which was red, belonged to my uncle.)
• That → Identifies a specific noun (The book that I borrowed was very useful.)

Where, When, Why (Used for places, time, and reasons)

• Where → Refers to a place (This is the house where I grew up.)
• When → Refers to a time (1999 was the year when we first met.)
• Why → Refers to a reason (Tell me the reason why you are upset.)

Types of Relative Pronouns

1. Relative Pronouns for People

• Who is used when referring to a person as the subject.
• She is the teacher who helped me pass my exam.
• Whom is used when referring to a person as the object.
• The student whom I tutored scored well.
• Whose is used to indicate possession.
• That is the girl whose brother is a scientist.

2. Relative Pronouns for Things and Animals

• Which introduces extra information about a thing.
• The book, which was on the table, is now missing.
• That introduces defining information about a thing.
• The phone that I bought is very expensive.

Relative Pronouns for Places, Time, and Reasons

• Where replaces a place.
• This is the restaurant where we had dinner last night.
• When replaces a time.
• Do you remember the day when we first met?
• Why replaces a reason.
• I don’t know the reason why she is crying.

How to Use a Relative Pronoun Correctly

Relative Pronouns in Defining Clauses

A defining clause is necessary for sentence meaning.

Example:

• The book that I borrowed is very interesting.
• The woman who lives next door is a doctor.

Relative Pronouns in Non-Defining Clauses

A non-defining clause adds extra, non-essential information and is separated by commas.

Example:

• My father, who is a great cook, made dinner tonight.
• The Eiffel Tower, which is in Paris, is very famous.

Using Relative Pronouns to Combine Sentences

Two sentences can be combined using a relative pronoun:

• I have a friend. She speaks five languages.
• I have a friend who speaks five languages.

Examples of Relative Pronouns in Sentences

Relative Pronouns in Everyday Conversations

• This is the shop where I bought my shoes.
• He is the person who helped me with my project.

Relative Pronouns in Formal Writing

• The policy, which was introduced last year, has proven effective.
• The scientist whose research changed medicine won a Nobel Prize.

Common Mistakes with Relative Pronoun

Incorrect Use of “Who” and “Whom”

• Incorrect: She is the teacher whom teaches math.
• Correct: She is the teacher who teaches math.

Confusing “Which” and “That”

• Incorrect: This is the book which I read last night.
• Correct: This is the book that I read last night.

Omitting a Necessary Relative Pronoun

• Incorrect: This is the restaurant I love.
• Correct: This is the restaurant that I love.

Practice Exercises for Relative Pronouns

Fill-in-the-Blank Sentences

The man ___ helped me was very kind. (who/whom)

1. This is the reason ___ I left early. (why/when)
2. She is the girl ___ father is a lawyer. (whose/who)

Identifying Relative Pronouns in Text

Find the relative pronoun in this sentence:

• The house that Jack built is very old.

Tips for Mastering Relative Pronoun

1. Memorize the functions of relative pronouns – Know when to use who, which, that, whose, where, when, why.
2. Understand defining vs. non-defining clauses – Use commas for non-defining clauses.
3. Practice combining sentences using relative pronouns – This helps improve fluency.

Relative Pronouns FAQs

What is a relative pronoun?

A relative pronoun is a word that is used to introduce a relative clause – a clause that provides further information about the preceding noun or noun phrase. e.g. the ball that I threw.

What are the examples of relative pronouns?

The most commonly used relative pronouns in English are which, that, who, and whom.

Is “that” a relative pronoun?

Yes, the word “that” is a relative pronoun and is commonly used as a relative pronoun in sentences. e.g., the house that I live in, or the train that departs at 4 p.m.

Conclusion

A relative pronoun connects clauses and helps provide more information about a noun. Understanding their correct usage improves sentence clarity and fluency. By practicing regularly and avoiding common mistakes, learners can confidently use relative pronouns in both spoken and written English!

I hope this article helped you to learn what a relative pronoun is, how to use it correctly and examples of sentences using relative pronouns.

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