Relative Pronouns In English

Introduction

Relative pronouns play a crucial role in constructing complex sentences by introducing relative clauses. These clauses provide additional information about a noun in the main clause. Let’s delve into the nuances of relative pronouns and explore their usage in English.

To test your knowledge about relative pronouns, do this exercise.

Basic Relative Pronouns:

In English, the fundamental relative pronouns are who, whom, which, whose, and that. These pronouns are employed to connect the main clause with a relative clause, offering more details about the noun in focus.

1. who – for People:

Used as both a subject and object pronoun for people.

Examples:

• They caught the lady who killed her baby.
• I know the man who you met.

2. which – for People, Animals, and Things:

Serves as both a subject and object pronoun.

Examples:

• I read the book which is on the table.
• I visited the town which you told me about.

3. which – Referring to a Whole Sentence:

Applied when the relative pronoun refers to the entire sentence.

Example:

• They were unsuccessful, which is disappointing.

4. whom – Object Pronoun for People:

Primarily used as an object pronoun for people, especially in non-restrictive relative clauses. In restrictive clauses, ‘who’ is often preferred.

Example:

• The boy whom you told me about got the best grades in mathematics.

5. that – Subject or Object Pronoun for People, Animals, and Things:

Used in restrictive relative clauses where ‘who’ or ‘which’ could also be applicable.

Example:

• I like the vase that is over there.

Compound Relative Pronouns:

Beyond the basic set, English includes compound relative pronouns like whoever, whomever, whichever, and whatever. These compounds add specificity to the relative pronoun’s reference.

Here are examples of compound relative pronouns in various contexts:

1. Whoever:

• Simple Context:
  • Whoever left the door open should close it.
• In a Question:
  • Whoever thought of this idea is a genius.

2. Whomever:

• Formal Context:
  • Please give the package to whomever you see first.
• In a Question:
  • Whomever you invite to the party, make sure they know the details.

3. Whichever:

• Choosing from Options:
  • You can pick whichever color you prefer.
• Referring to Options:
  • I’ll take whichever book you recommend.

4. Whatever:

• Expressing Indifference:
  • Whatever you decide, I’m fine with it.
• Asking about Options:
  • Do you have whatever tools are needed for the job?

These compound relative pronouns add precision to the reference, indicating a more specific or particular selection among a group or range of options.

The Difference Between ‘who’ and ‘that’:

While ‘who’ and ‘that’ are often interchangeable, ‘who’ is preferred when referring to people, adding a personal touch. ‘That’ is more versatile and can refer to people, animals, or things.

1. ‘Who’ – Adding a Personal Touch:

• Personal Description:
  • The woman who helped me find my way is a local resident.
• Referring to a Specific Person:
  • I have a friend who is an expert in computer programming.

2. ‘That’ – More Versatile Reference:

• Referring to People:
  • The scientist that discovered the cure for the disease received a prestigious award.
  • The colleague that you recommended has joined our team.
• Referring to Animals:
  • The dog that barks loudly lives next door.
• Referring to Things:
  • I need a pen that writes smoothly.

In these examples, note that ‘that’ is used for both people and things. While ‘who’ often adds a personal touch, ‘that’ remains a versatile choice when referring to people, particularly in situations where either pronoun can be used interchangeably. The key is to maintain clarity and choose the pronoun that best fits the tone and style of your writing.

The Difference Between ‘that’ and ‘which’:

The choice between ‘that’ and ‘which’ depends on whether the information is essential (use ‘that’) or non-essential (use ‘which’). ‘That’ is used in restrictive clauses, essential to the sentence’s meaning, while ‘which’ introduces non-restrictive clauses, providing additional information without altering the sentence’s core meaning.

Here are examples illustrating the difference between ‘that’ and ‘which’ based on whether the information is essential or non-essential:

1. ‘That’ – Restrictive Clause (Essential):

• Essential Information:
  • The car that is parked in the driveway is blocking my way out.
• Defining the Subject:
  • I appreciate the efforts that you put into the project.

2. ‘Which’ – Non-Restrictive Clause (Non-Essential):

• Additional Information without Altering Meaning:
  • My new laptop, which I bought last week, is incredibly fast.
• Adding Detail to the Main Clause:
  • The novel, which was published in 1923, remains a classic.

In these examples, ‘that’ is used in restrictive clauses, where the information is crucial to understanding the sentence’s meaning. In contrast, ‘which’ is employed in non-restrictive clauses, providing extra details without changing the fundamental meaning of the sentence. Understanding this distinction helps convey precise and nuanced information in your writing.

Here’s a table summarizing the key points about relative pronouns:

Relative Pronoun	Usage	Examples
who	Subject or object pronoun for people	The lady who helped me is my neighbor.
which	Subject or object pronoun	The book which is on the table is interesting.
which	Referring to a whole sentence	They were unsuccessful, which is disappointing.
whom	Object pronoun for people, especially in non-restrictive clauses (use ‘who’ in restrictive clauses)	The boy whom you told me about got the best grades.
that	Subject or object pronoun for people, animals, and things in restrictive relative clauses (who or which are also possible)	I like the vase that is over there.
whoever	Compound relative pronoun for people, adding specificity	Whoever left the door open should close it.
whomever	Compound relative pronoun, often used in formal contexts	Please give the package to whomever you see first.
whichever	Compound relative pronoun for choosing from options	You can pick whichever color you prefer.
whatever	Compound relative pronoun expressing indifference or asking about options	Whatever you decide, I’m fine with it.

Pronoun Choice	When to Use	Examples
‘who’ vs. ‘that’	‘Who’ adds a personal touch and is preferred for people. ‘That’ is more versatile and can refer to people, animals, or things.	The woman who helped me vs. The scientist that discovered the cure.
‘that’ vs. ‘which’	‘That’ is used in restrictive clauses (essential to the sentence’s meaning). ‘Which’ introduces non-restrictive clauses (providing additional information without altering the sentence’s core meaning).	The car that is parked in the driveway vs. My new laptop, which I bought last week.

Understanding these distinctions will enhance your ability to use relative pronouns effectively in writing.

Conclusion:

Understanding the distinctions between the different relative pronouns enhances your ability to construct precise and effective sentences. Keep these guidelines in mind to elevate the clarity and sophistication of your writing.

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