Relative Pronoun

What is a Relative Pronoun?

Simply put, a relative pronoun is a type of pronoun that is used to introduce a relative clause in a sentence. Relative pronouns connect the main clause (independent clause) to the subordinate clause (relative clause) by indicating the relationship between the noun they refer to and the additional information provided in the relative clause.

In English, the most common relative pronouns are:

• who: used for people (subject)
• whom: used for people (object)
•  whose: used to indicate possession or ownership which: used for things and animals
•  that: used for people, things, and animals (often used interchangeably with “which“)

Here are some examples of relative pronouns in sentences:

1. The person who won the race is my friend.
   •  In this sentence, “who” introduces the relative clause and refers to the person.
2. The book which I’m reading is very interesting.
   •  In this case, “which” introduces the relative clause and refers to the book.
3. She visited the city where she grew up.
   •  In this example, “where” is a relative adverb that introduces the relative clause and refers to the city.
4. The car that he bought is blue.
   •  Here, “that” introduces the relative clause and refers to the car.
5. This is the house whose roof was recently repaired.
   •  In this sentence, “whose” introduces the relative clause and shows possession of the roof by the house.

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What is a Relative Clause?

On the other, a relative clause is a type of subordinate clause that provides additional information about a noun in the main clause. It functions to define or specify the noun it’s referring to.

Relative clauses are introduced by relative pronouns (e.g., who, whom, whose, which, that) or relative adverbs (e.g., where, when, why).

Here are a few examples of relative clauses:

1. The book that I’m reading is very interesting.
   •  In this example, the relative clause “that I’m reading” provides more information about the noun “book.” It specifies which book is being referred to.
2. The person who won the competition will receive a prize.
   •  In this case, the relative clause “who won the competition” gives more details about the noun “person.”
3. Do you see the tree whose branches are touching the roof?
   •  Here, the relative clause “whose branches are touching the roof” provides information about the tree by indicating a specific characteristic of it.
4. She visited the city where she grew up.
   •  In this example, the relative clause “where she grew up” explains the location of the city.
5. The reason why he resigned remains unknown.
   •  The relative clause “why he resigned” gives an explanation for the reason behind his resignation.

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Relative Pronoun (Revisited)