Relative pronouns are pronouns that introduce relative clauses, which are clauses that provide more information about a noun or pronoun that has already been mentioned. The most common relative pronouns in English are:
- who and whom (for people)
- which (for things)
- that (for people or things)
- whose (for possession)
Relative pronouns can be used in a variety of contexts, but they are most commonly used in the following ways:
- To provide additional information about a noun or pronoun that has already been mentioned:
- “The man who I met yesterday is my neighbor.”
- “The book which I read was very interesting.”
- To identify a specific person or thing:
- “The woman that I saw at the store was wearing a blue dress.”
- “The car that is parked in my driveway is red.”
- To add a clause that describes a noun or pronoun:
- “The dog whose name is Sparky is very friendly.”
- “The house that we bought has a big yard.”
There are a few rules that govern the use of relative pronouns. For example, the relative pronoun “who” is used for the subject of a relative clause, while the relative pronoun “whom” is used for the object of a relative clause. The relative pronoun “which” can be used for both the subject and object of a relative clause, but it is generally used for things, not people. The relative pronoun “that” can be used for both people and things, but it is often used for non-essential relative clauses.
Relative pronouns can be a bit tricky to use, but they are an important part of English grammar. By following the rules above, you can use relative pronouns correctly and avoid making common mistakes.
Here are some additional examples of relative pronouns in sentences:
- The man who I met yesterday is my neighbor.
- The book which I read was very interesting.
- The woman that I saw at the store was wearing a blue dress.
- The car that is parked in my driveway is red.
- The dog whose name is Sparky is very friendly.
- The house that we bought has a big yard.