Relative Pronoun

What is a Relative Pronoun?

A relative pronoun is a word that introduces a relative clause (also called an adjective clause). These clauses provide more information about a noun mentioned earlier in the sentence. Relative pronouns connect the dependent clause to the main clause and function as subjects or objects within their own clause.

Key Relative Pronouns

The most common relative pronouns are:

• who (for people, as subject)
• whom (for people, as object)
• whose (for possession, people or things)
• which (for things or animals)
• that (for people, things, or animals; often interchangeable with who/which in defining clauses)

Deep Dive: Usage and Function

Relative pronouns can be tricky. Understanding their role as both connectors and grammatical elements within their clause is crucial.

Defining vs. Non-Defining Clauses

Defining relative clauses are essential for identifying the noun they modify. They are not set off by commas.

Example: The book that I read was fascinating.

Non-defining relative clauses provide extra, non-essential information. They are set off by commas.

Example: My brother, who lives in London, is visiting next week.

Applications in Writing

Relative pronouns are fundamental for creating complex and informative sentences. They help:

• Add descriptive detail
• Combine short sentences
• Clarify relationships between ideas

Challenges and Misconceptions

A common point of confusion is the usage of who vs. whom. Remember: who is like ‘he/she’ (subject), and whom is like ‘him/her’ (object).

Another is the use of that vs. which. ‘That’ is typically used in defining clauses, while ‘which’ is used in non-defining ones.

FAQs

Can a relative pronoun be omitted?

Yes, if the relative pronoun is the object of the relative clause, it can often be omitted, especially in informal writing. For example, ‘The car (that) I bought is red.’

What is the difference between ‘who’ and ‘whom’?

‘Who’ acts as a subject pronoun (e.g., ‘Who is there?’). ‘Whom’ acts as an object pronoun (e.g., ‘To whom did you speak?’).