Relative Pronoun - Definition, Types and Examples

Understanding Relative Pronouns

In the simplest terms, a relative pronoun is a word that connects an independent clause to a relative clause. It provides additional information about the subject ( noun or pronoun ) in focus. These relative pronouns function similarly to adjectives , leading to the formation of adjective clauses .

Definition of a Relative Pronoun

The Collins Dictionary defines a relative pronoun as a word such as ‘who’, ‘that’, or ‘which’ that introduces a relative clause. The Macmillan Dictionary echoes this definition, stating that a relative pronoun introduces a relative clause in a sentence.

Real-life Examples of Relative Pronouns

Relative pronouns play a crucial role in constructing complex sentences . The most common relative pronouns are who, whom, whose, which, and that.

Here's a quick rundown of how each one is used:

• Who – Refers to the subject or person performing the action.
• Whom – Points to the object or the one receiving the action.
• Whose – Indicates possession or ownership.
• That – Used to refer to a person, animal, or thing in a defining clause.
• Which – Employed in a non-defining clause to refer to a person, animal, or thing.

Let's explore some examples of these relative pronouns in action:

• James, who is a firefighter, also volunteers at the local animal shelter.
• The book that I borrowed from the library was incredibly enlightening.
• Mary is the woman whom I met at the conference.
• The man, whose son is a famous actor, lives next door.
• The restaurant, which is known for its exotic cuisine, is located downtown.

Additionally, there are compound relative pronouns, formed by appending ‘-ever’ or ‘-soever’ to the basic forms. Examples include whatever, whatsoever, whoever, whosoever, and whichever. Let's see how these are used:

• Whoever finishes the task first will get a bonus.
• You can choose whichever dessert you want.
• Whatever project he takes on, he completes it with dedication.
• Whosoever breaks the law will face the consequences.

Test Your Knowledge on Relative Pronouns

Ready to test your understanding of relative pronouns? Try to combine the following pairs of sentences using a suitable relative pronoun. Remember, the relative pronoun should replace the subject or object common to both sentences.

Here are the sentences for you to try:

1. The dog chased the cat. The cat was black.

2. I bought a new phone. The phone has a high-resolution camera.

3. The woman called the police. The woman's purse was stolen.

4. This is my friend. My friend is an artist.

5. The book is interesting. I am reading the book.

6. The movie was thrilling. We watched the movie last night.

7. The cake was delicious. My sister baked the cake.

8. The museum is closed today. We planned to visit the museum.

9. I met a famous author. The author writes mystery novels.

10. The concert was cancelled. We bought tickets for the concert.