Identify relative pronouns

  • Relative pronouns are words that introduce relative clauses. They connect a clause or phrase to a noun or pronoun, providing more information about that noun.

  • The most common relative pronouns include:
  • who: refers to people
  • whom: refers to people (more formal)
  • whose: indicates possession
  • which: refers to animals or things
  • that: can refer to people, animals, or things

  • Who and whom:
  • Who is used as the subject of a relative clause.
    • Example: The teacher who teaches math is very helpful.
  • Whom is used as the object of a relative clause (though often replaced by “who” in informal speech).
    • Example: The student whom I met yesterday is in my class.
  • Whose:
  • Indicates ownership or possession.
    • Example: The girl whose book was lost is looking for it.
  • Which:
  • Used to provide additional information about a thing or an animal.
    • Example: The car, which is red, is parked outside.
  • That:
  • Can refer to people, animals, or things. It’s often used in defining relative clauses.
    • Example: The book that I borrowed is interesting.

  • A relative clause provides extra information about a noun in the main clause. It usually follows the noun it describes.
  • Example: The dog that barks loudly belongs to my neighbor.
    (Here, “that barks loudly” is the relative clause giving more information about “the dog.”)

  • Relative pronouns link clauses together, making sentences clearer and more informative.
  • Choosing the correct relative pronoun depends on whether you’re referring to people, possession, animals, or things.

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