Relative Pronoun

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A relative pronoun is used to connect a clause or phrase to a noun or pronoun. The clause modifies,
or describes, the noun.
The most common relative pronouns are who, whom, whose, which, and that.
Sometimes when and where can be used as relative pronouns as well.

Using Relative Pronouns

Relative pronouns are placed directly after the noun or pronoun they modify. For example:
 The driver who ran the stop sign was careless.
 The children, whom we love dearly, need better educations.
 Never go to a doctor whose office plants have died. (Erma Bombeck)
 I have a friend whose cat is annoying.
 The book, which is now out of print, has all the information you need.
 This is the book that everyone is talking about.
In each example above, the subject of the sentence is described by a relative clause (italicized). As
these clauses describe a noun or a pronoun, they are also known as adjective clauses, because they
act like adjectives in the sentence. Each clause is introduced by a relative pronoun (in bold). Relative
pronouns connect the description to the rest of the sentence in an orderly way.
Occasionally, the relative adverbs "when" and "where" are also used as relative pronouns. For
example:
 Grandma remembers a time when radio shows were popular.
 I want to visit the island where my grandma was born.
In these cases, "when" and "where" introduce clauses that describe a noun the refers to a time or
place, making them work as relative pronouns in these sentences.

Defining vs. Non-Defining Relative Clauses

When relative pronouns are used to add descriptive information, that information is either defining or
non-defining. A defining clause - also known as a restrictive clause - gives essential information
about the noun in question. It is so important that it cannot be cut out of the sentence and still convey
the intended meaning. For example:
 This is the dog that was hit by a car.
 I don't like people who interrupt me.
In both cases, the italicized clauses contain critical information. You can tell because if you cut out
the clause, the sentence's meaning is fundamentally different. For example, saying "I don't like
people" is very different from saying "I don't like people who interrupt me."
Note that defining clauses require no additional punctuation.
On the other hand, non-defining clauses add information that's nice to have but isn't essential to the
sentence's overall meaning. They could be deleted and the sentence would convey basically the same
information. For example:
 This painting, which I adore, is worth over a million dollars.
 The teacher, who was about to retire, began writing her memoirs.
In both cases, you could cut out the non-defining clause and still understand the point of the sentence.
The important part is that the paint is worth a million dollars; the fact that it is adored is merely nice
to know.
Note that non-defining clauses are set apart from the main sentence by commas, which help to
indicate its less important status in the sentence.

A Note About Who, That, and Which

One of the most common mistakes in writing is to use the wrong relative pronoun, particularly when
it comes to mixing up "who" and "that." "Who" is always used to set up a relative clause that
describes a person, while "that" is used to describe an object or another non-human being. For
example:
 I like the girl who runs fast.
 I like the dog that does tricks
 I like the clock that chimes the hour.
Another common error is to mix up that and which. When describing objects and non-human beings,
"that" is used to introduce a defining relative clause, while "which" is used to introduce a non-
defining clause. For example:
 The cat, which is very old, took a nap.
 The cat that is very old needs to see the vet today.
The relative pronoun "which" is used for non-essential information set off by commas; "that" is used
for essential information and requires no additional punctuation.
When it comes to people, however, you don't have to worry about confusing "which" or "that." You
always use "who:"
 The woman, who is very old, took a nap.
 The woman who is very old needs to see the doctor today.

It's all Relative

Knowing how relative pronouns work in a sentence will help you add important descriptive
information in the form of relative clauses. Once you understand how they work, you'll be able to
decide whether your information is defining or non-defining and choose the appropriate relative
pronouns and punctuation to lead your readers to a deeper understanding of your meaning.

https://grammar.yourdictionary.com/parts-of-speech/pronouns/relative-pronoun.html
Relative pronouns
Grammar > Nouns, pronouns and determiners > Pronouns > Relative pronouns
from English Grammar Today

Relative pronouns introduce relative clauses. The most common relative pronouns
are who, whom, whose, which, that. The relative pronoun we use depends on what we
are referring to and the type of relative clause.

who people and sometimes pet animals defining and non-defining

defining and non-

which animals and things defining; clause referring
to a whole sentence

that people, animals and things; informal defining only

possessive meaning;
whose for people and animals usually; sometimes for defining and non-defining
things in formal situations

people in formal styles or in writing; often with a

whom preposition; rarely in conversation; used instead defining and non-defining
of who if who is the object

no relative when the relative pronoun defines the object of the

defining only
pronoun clause

(In the examples, the relative pronoun is in brackets to show where it is not essential;
the person or thing being referred to is underlined.)
We don’t know the person who donated this money.
We drove past my old school, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
He went to the school (that) my father went to.
 The Kingfisher group, whose name was changed from Woolworths earlier this year,
includes about 720 high street shops. Superdrug, which last week announced that it is
buying Medicare, is also part of the group.
The parents (whom/who/that) we interviewed were all involved in education in some
way.
See also:
 Relative clauses: defining and non-defining
 Relative clauses referring to a whole sentence

Relative pronouns: who

We use who in relative clauses to refer to people, and sometimes to pet animals. We
use it to introduce defining and non-defining relative clauses:
I think there’d be a lot of children who’d love to have a climbing wall in school. (defining)
That’s the dog who doesn’t like me. (defining; referring to a pet animal)
There’s this guy at work, who’s one of my friends, well he’s never been on a train. (non-
defining)

Subjects and objects

Who can act as the subject or the object of the relative clause:
She’s going out with a bloke who’s in the army. (who refers to a bloke and is the subject
of is in the relative clause; bloke is an informal word for a man)
The woman who I saw yesterday was Sheila. (who refers to the woman and is the
object of saw in the relative clause)

Who + prepositions

We can use who as the complement of a preposition:

It was Cath who Ian gave the keys to. It wasn’t me. (who refers to Cath and is the
complement of the preposition to)
We put the preposition at the end of the relative clause, and not immediately
before who:
Of all my friends, she’s the one who I know I can rely on.
Not: … the one on who I know I can rely.
 Who with collective groups of people

We often use who with collective human nouns

(e.g. committee, government, group, panel, police, team):
Nicola phoned the fire brigade, who then alerted the police and social workers.
We do not use who for things:
There are some very good art books which you can get ideas from.
Not: There are some very good art books who you can get ideas from.
See also:
 Relative pronouns: whom

Relative pronouns: whom

Warning:

We use whom in formal styles or in writing to refer to people when the person is the
object of the verb. It is much more common in writing than in speaking:
The response of those managers whom I have consulted has been very positive and
we are looking forward to meeting together. (whom refers to those managers and is the
object of consulted in the relative clause)
She was a celebrated actress whom he had known and loved, on and off, almost since
her first appearance on the stage.

Whom + prepositions

The most common use of whom is with a preposition. We can use whom as the
complement of a preposition:
The first book was a terrible historical novel for children which was turned down
by every publisher to whom it was sent. (whom refers to every publisher and is the
complement of the preposition to)
Drama in schools is particularly good for pupils for whom English is a second
language.
We put the preposition before whom.
Compare
 more formal less formal

There was only one person to whom the old There was only one person who the old man
man spoke. spoke to.

She smiled as she remembered the quiet She smiled as she remembered the quiet
scholar with whom she had shared a love of scholar who she had shared a love of
books. books with.

See also:
 Relative pronouns: who

Relative pronoun: whose

We usually use whose as a relative pronoun to indicate possession by people and
animals. In more formal styles we can also use it for things.
We use whose before nouns instead of a possessive expression (my, your, his, her, its,
our, their, x’s) in defining and non-defining clauses:
He’s marrying a girl whose family don’t seem to like him. (The family of the girl he’s
marrying don’t seem to like him.)
There was me and there was Kate, whose party it was, and then there were two other
people. (It was Kate’s party.)
It is a rambling Tudor house, whose sitting room looks out over a wonderful walled
garden. (The sitting room of the house looks out over …)

Whose + prepositions

We can use whose + noun as the complement of a preposition:

Kate, whose sister I used to shared a house with, has gone to work in Australia. (whose
sister refers to Kate and is the complement of with)
We can put the preposition immediately before the relative pronoun (more formal written
styles) or at the end of the relative clause (more informal).
Compare
more formal more informal

Thomas Goldney III, in whose house and

Thomas Goldney III, whose house and garden
garden several generations of Bristol
several generations of Bristol students have
students have now lived, was described in
now lived in, was described in the late 18th
the late 18th century as ‘a very curious
century as ‘a very curious gentleman’.
gentleman’.

Relative pronouns: which

We use which in relative clauses to refer to animals and to things. We use it to introduce
defining and non-defining relative clauses. We always use which to introduce relative
clauses when they refer to a whole sentence or clause:
You need to tick the box which says yes. (defining)
He won’t have much time to prepare for the meeting, which is this afternoon. (non-
defining)
She had to get up and walk all the way to the other side of the room, which isn’t easy
with a bad back. (which refers to the whole sentence before it)
We use which or that, not what:
Another activity which/that I have chosen is photography.
Not: Another activity what I have chosen is photography.

Subjects and objects

Which can act as the subject or the object of the relative clause:
The new sports complex, which will be built on the site of the old power station, will
provide facilities for cricket, soccer, bowls and badminton. (which refers to the new
sports complex and is the subject of will be built in the relative clause)
It was the same picture which I saw at the National Gallery. (which refers to the same
picture and is the object of saw in the relative clause)

Which + prepositions

We can use which as the complement of a preposition:

Early in the Autumn Term there is a reception at which you can meet current staff and
students.(which refers to a reception and is the complement of at)
Close by, in the churchyard, is the famous Rudston stone, from which the village takes
its name.(which refers to the famous Rudston stone and is the complement of from)
We can put the preposition immediately before the relative pronoun (more formal) or at
the end of the relative clause (more informal).
Compare

more formal more informal

The title of the poem indicates that the poet knows himself I’ve never felt close to the
to be separated from the community in which he grew up. community which I grew up in.

Which referring to a whole sentence

Relative clauses referring to a whole sentence are always introduced by which:

There’s going to be a new headteacher in September, which is good. It’s time for a
change.
[talking about a playschool for young children]
A:

It’s lovely and clean there, and there are lots of toys that he can play with and he’s so
happy.
B:

Which is much more important.

Relative pronouns: that

We use that instead of who, whom or which in relative clauses to refer to people,
animals and things. We use it to introduce defining clauses only. That is more informal
than who, whom or which:
We met somebody last night that did the speech therapy course two years after
you. (refers to a person)
The 8.30 is the train that you need to get. (refers to a thing)
She blamed herself for everything that had happened.
Subjects and objects

That can act as the subject or the object of the relative clause:
He finally remembers one lesson that his mum had taught him early – Don’t
take money that doesn’t belong to you. (that refers to money and is the subject
of belong in the relative clause)
It’s the same cooker that my mother has. (that refers to the same cooker and is the
object of has in the relative clause)

That after superlatives

We often use that after superlatives:

The Wimbledon men’s final was the best game of tennis that I’ve ever seen.

That + prepositions

That can refer to the complement of a preposition:

We’ve got some tennis balls that you can play with. (that refers to some tennis
balls and is the complement of the preposition with)
Warning:

Unlike which, whom and whose, we can’t use that with the preposition immediately
before it:
Not: We’ve got some tennis balls with that you can play.

No relative pronoun
In informal styles, we often leave out the relative pronoun. We only do this in defining
relative clauses, and when the relative pronoun is the object of the verb. We don’t leave
out the relative pronoun when it is the subject of the verb nor in non-defining relative
clauses:
German is a language which I’ve found hard to learn. (or German is a language I’ve
found hard to learn.) (defining relative clause: which is the object)
She’s the singer who I heard on the radio. (or She’s the singer I heard on the radio.)
(defining relative clause: who is the object)
There’s a hill which begins three miles after the start of the race. (defining relative
clause: which is the subject)
Not: There’s a hill begins three miles after the start of the race.
 Sir James, whose birthday is on February 26, plans to lay on a big party. (non-defining
relative clause)

No relative pronoun + preposition

In defining relative clauses, we can also leave out the relative pronoun when it is the
complement of a preposition. When we do this, we always put the preposition at the end
of the relative clause:
She was at the garden party which I was telling you about. (or She was at the garden
party about which I was telling you. or She was at the garden party I was telling
you about.) (defining relative clause: which is the complement of about)

Relative pronouns: when, where and why

In informal language, we often use where, when or why to introduce defining relative
clauses instead of at which, on which or for which.

I know a restaurant where the food is excellent.

where places
(… a restaurant at which the food is excellent)

There isn’t a day when I don’t feel rushed off my feet.

when times
(… a day on which I don’t feel rushed …)

Do you know the reason why the shop is closed today?

why reasons
(… the reason for which the shop is closed …)

Relative pronouns: typical errors

 We can’t use that instead of who, whom or which in non-defining relative clauses:
It gives me a good chance to improve my Italian, which has become a little bit rusty.
Not: It gives me a good chance to improve my Italian, that has become a little bit rusty.
 We don’t use what as a relative pronoun:
So, he can make himself easily understood in the two languages, which helps a lot.
Not: So, he can make himself easily understood in the two languages, what helps a lot.
  We don’t use who for things:
She’s written some great cookery books which have got pictures of delicious-looking
recipes.
Not: She’s written some great cookery books who have got pictures of delicious-looking
recipes.
 Take care to spell which correctly: not ‘wich’.
See also:
 Relative pronouns: that

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https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/grammar/british-grammar/relative-pronouns
 Relative pronouns and relative clauses
Level: beginner

The relative pronouns are:

Subject Object Possessive

who who/whom whose

which which whose

that that -

We use relative pronouns to introduce relative clauses. Relative clauses

tell us more about people and things:

Lord Thompson, who is 76, has just retired.

This is the house which Jack built.
Marie Curie is the woman that discovered radium.

We use:

 who and whom for people

 which for things

 that for people or things.

Two kinds of relative clause

There are two kinds of relative clause:

1. We use relative clauses to make clear which person or thing we are

talking about:

Marie Curie is the woman who discovered radium.

This is the house which Jack built.
In this kind of relative clause, we can use that instead of who or which:

Marie Curie is the woman that discovered radium.

This is the house that Jack built.

We can leave out the pronoun if it is the object of the relative clause:
This is the house that Jack built. (that is the object of built)
Relative pronouns 1
Relative pronouns 2

Be careful!

The relative pronoun is the subject/object of the relative clause, so we do not repeat the
subject/object:
Marie Curie is the woman who she discovered radium.
(who is the subject of discovered, so we don't need she)
This is the house that Jack built it.
(that is the object of built, so we don't need it)

2. We also use relative clauses to give more information about a person,

thing or situation:

Lord Thompson, who is 76, has just retired.

We had fish and chips, which I always enjoy.
I met Rebecca in town yesterday, which was a nice surprise.

With this kind of relative clause, we use commas (,) to separate it from the
rest of the sentence.

Be careful!

In this kind of relative clause, we cannot use that:

Lord Thompson, who is 76, has just retired.
(NOT Lord Thompson, that is 76, has just retired.)
and we cannot leave out the pronoun:
 Be careful!

We had fish and chips, which I always enjoy.

(NOT We had fish and chips, I always enjoy.)

Relative pronouns 3
Relative pronouns 4

Level: intermediate

whose and whom

We use whose as the possessive form of who:
This is George, whose brother went to school with me.

We sometimes use whom as the object of a verb or preposition:

This is George, whom you met at our house last year.

(whom is the object of met)

This is George’s brother, with whom I went to school.

(whom is the object of with)

but nowadays we normally use who:

This is George, who you met at our house last year.

This is George’s brother, who I went to school with.
Relative pronouns 5

Relative pronouns with prepositions

When who(m) or which have a preposition, the preposition can come at
the beginningof the clause:

I had an uncle in Germany, from who(m) I inherited a bit of money.

We bought a chainsaw, with which we cut up all the wood.

or at the end of the clause:

I had an uncle in Germany, who(m) I inherited a bit of money from.

We bought a chainsaw, which we cut all the wood up with.

But when that has a preposition, the preposition always comes at the
end:
I didn't know the uncle that I inherited the money from.
We can't find the chainsaw that we cut all the wood up with.
Relative pronouns 6

when and where

We can use when with times and where with places to make it
clear which time or place we are talking about:

England won the World Cup in 1966. It was the year when we got
married.
I remember my twentieth birthday. It was the day when the tsunami
happened.

Do you remember the place where we caught the train?

Stratford-upon-Avon is the town where Shakespeare was born.

We can leave out when:

England won the World Cup in 1966. It was the year we got married.
I remember my twentieth birthday. It was the day the tsunami happened.
We often use quantifiers and numbers with relative pronouns:

all of which/whom most of which/whom many of which/whom

lots of which/whom a few of which/whom none of which/whom

one of which/whom two of which/whom etc.

She has three brothers, two of whom are in the army.

I read three books last week, one of which I really enjoyed.
There were some good programmes on the radio, none of which I listened
to.
https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/english-grammar-reference/relative-pronouns-and-relative-
clauses