Grammar Rules

Relative Pronouns

What is a relative pronoun?

A relative pronoun is one which is used to refer to nouns mentioned previously, whether they are people, places, things, animals, or ideas. Relative pronouns can be used to join two sentences.

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There are only a few relative pronouns in the English language. The most common are which, that, whose, whoever, whomever, who, and whom. In some situations, the words what, when, and where can also function as relative pronouns. Because there are only a few of them, there are also just a few rules for using relative pronouns. Keep them in mind as you write.

Relative clauses are typically introduced by relative pronouns, and that the relative pronoun can function as a possessive pronoun, an object, or a subject.
When relative pronouns introduce restrictive relative clauses, no comma is used to separate the restrictive clause from the main clause.
In American English, the relative pronoun whom is used rarely. You may notice this in conversations, but it is best to use the term when writing to ensure that your work is grammatically correct.

Relative Pronouns Examples

The following sentences contain examples of relative pronouns. The relative pronoun in each example is italicized.

The cyclist who won the race trained hard.
The pants that I bought yesterday are already stained.
The four team leaders, whoever the committee selects, will be at tomorrow’s meeting.
Spaghetti, which we eat at least twice a week, is one of my family’s favorite meals.
Where did you buy the dress that you wore last week?
The book, when it was finally returned, was torn and stained.
The store on the corner, where we usually buy all of our art supplies, burned to the ground.

Relative Pronouns Exercises

The following exercises will help you gain greater understanding about how relative pronouns work. Choose the best answer to complete each sentence.

The festival, ______________ lasted all day, ended with a banquet.
1. That
2. Who
3. Which
4. What
I am looking for someone __________ can watch my dog while I go on vacation.
1. Which
2. Who
3. Whom
4. Whoever
The police needed details _____________ could help identify the robber.
1. Who
2. Whatever
3. That
4. What
I’d like to take you to a café _______________ serves excellent coffee.
1. What
2. Whatever
3. Which
4. Whichever
The clubhouse, in __________ the dance was held, housed about 200 people.
1. Which
2. Where
3. That
4. Whom
You can choose one person, __________ you like, to share the cruise with you.
1. Whomever
2. That
3. Which
4. Whom
I saw the shoes __________ you bought last week on sale for less this week.
1. When
2. That
3. Who
4. Whom
The winners, __________ known, will receive money and other prizes.
1. Whoever
2. Who
3. When
4. That
This is the place __________ we met.
1. When
2. Where
3. Who
4. That
The baby, ________ nap had been interrupted, wailed loudly.
1. Whose
2. Whomever
3. Whom
4. Who

Answers

C - The festival, which lasted all day, ended with a banquet.
B - I am looking for someone who can watch my dog while I go on vacation.
C - The police needed details that could help identify the robber.
C - I’d like to take you to a café which serves excellent coffee.
A - The clubhouse, in which the dance was held, housed about 200 people.
A - You can choose one person, whomever you like, to share the cruise with you.
B - I saw the shoes that you bought last week on sale for less this week.
C - The winners, when known, will receive money and other prizes.
B - This is the place where we met.
A - The baby, whose nap had been interrupted, wailed loudly.

List of Relative Pronouns

Who Whom That Which Whoever Whomever Whichever