RELATIVE PRONOUNS

As we continue our grammar lessons, it's time to revisit the topic of relative pronouns. So, let's begin on this and
become even more skilled in the use of relative pronouns.

A relative pronoun is a type of pronoun that introduces a dependent clause (also known as a relative clause)
within a sentence. Relative pronouns are used to connect the main clause of a sentence with the dependent clause,
which provides additional information about a noun or pronoun in the main clause.
The main function of relative pronouns is to join or relate two different parts of a sentence, providing more details
or adding descriptive information. They also help avoid repetition in writing or speaking.

Here are some commonly used relative pronouns and their uses:
Relative Pronoun Use Example Sentence

Who Refers to people and is used as the subject "The woman who lives next door is a
or object of the verb in the clause. doctor."

Whom Refers to people and is used as the object of "I saw the boy whom you were talking to."
the verb or preposition.

Which Refers to things and animals and is used as "The book, which is on the shelf, is my
the subject or object of the verb. favorite."

That Refers to people, things, and animals and is "This is the house that Jack built."
used as the subject or object.

Whose Shows possession and is used to refer to "The girl, whose bag was stolen, reported
people or things. the incident to the police."

Where Refers to a place or location. "I visited the school where I used to study."

when Refers to a specific time or period. "The day when we met was memorable."

why Refers to a reason or cause. "He explained the reason why he couldn't
attend the meeting."

whichever Indicates a choice between two or more "You can choose whichever movie you
options. want to watch."

whatever Refers to anything or everything without "She can eat whatever she wants from the
specifying a particular thing. menu."
 THE USE OF WHO/WHOSE/THAT
The relative pronouns "who," "whose," and "that" are used to refer to human beings in a sentence. Here's an
explanation of their use:
1. "Who": "Who" is used as a subject pronoun to refer to people. It is used to introduce a relative clause that
provides additional information about the person mentioned in the main clause.
Example: The boy who won the competition is Kwame.
Explanation: The relative pronoun "who" introduces the relative clause "who won the competition." It refers to
"the boy" and provides additional information about him, specifically that he is Kwame.

2. "Whose": "Whose" is used to show possession or ownership. It is used to introduce a relative clause that
indicates the relationship of possession between the person mentioned and something else.
Example: The girl whose picture you sent me is now our prefect.
Explanation: The relative pronoun "whose" introduces the relative clause "whose picture you sent me." It refers to
"the girl" and indicates that the picture belongs to her.

3. "That": "That" is a relative pronoun that can be used to refer to people in a restrictive relative clause. It is used
to introduce a relative clause that provides essential information about the person mentioned.
Example: The boy **that** won the competition is Kwame.
Explanation: The relative pronoun "that" introduces the relative clause "that won the competition." It refers to "the
boy" and provides essential information about him, specifically that he is Kwame.

Exercise 18.2
Fill in the blanks in the following sentences with the appropriate relative pronoun. Choose the correct answer
from the alternatives provided.
1. The girl _____ won the singing competition is my 6. She found the wallet _____ was lost in the park.
sister. a) who b) which
a) who b) whom c) whose d) that
c) whose d) that 7. The teacher _____ helped me with the assignment
2. The house _____ is located on the hill is painted is very knowledgeable.
blue. a) who b) whom
a) who b) which c) whose d) that
c) whose d) that 8. The dog _____ chased the cat belongs to my
3. This is the book _____ I was talking about earlier. neighbour.
a) which b) whom a) who b) which
c) whose d) that c) whose d) that
4. The man _____ car broke down called for 9. I met a man yesterday _____ knew my father.
roadside assistance. a) who b) whom
a) who b) whom c) whose d) that
c) whose d) that 10. The restaurant _____ we had dinner last night
5. The company _____ employees work long hours has excellent service.
has a high turnover rate. a) who b) which
a) who b) which c) whose d) that
c) whose d) that
 THE USE OF WHICH/ THAT
The relative pronouns "which" and "that" are used to refer to non-human entities or things in a sentence. Here's an
explanation of their use:

1. "Which": "Which" is used to introduce a relative clause that provides additional information about a non-
human entity or thing. It is used when the information in the relative clause is not essential to the overall meaning
of the sentence.
Example: The car which is sprayed dark brown is for Kwame.
Explanation: The relative pronoun "which" introduces the relative clause "which is sprayed dark brown." It refers
to "the car" and provides additional information about its appearance, specifically that it is sprayed dark brown.
The information about the car's colour is not essential to understanding the main point of the sentence.

2. "That": "That" is a relative pronoun that can be used to refer to non-human entities in a restrictive relative
clause. It is used when the information in the relative clause is essential to the overall meaning of the sentence.

Example: The car that is sprayed dark brown is for Kwame.

Explanation: The relative pronoun "that" introduces the relative clause "that is sprayed dark brown." It refers to
"the car" and provides essential information about its appearance, specifically that it is sprayed dark brown. The
information about the car's colour is necessary to understand which car is being referred to.

NB: The correct usage of the relative pronoun in the sentence "The car (which/that) is sprayed dark brown is for
Kwame" would be: The car that is sprayed dark brown is for Kwame.
In this sentence, "that" is the appropriate relative pronoun. The information provided in the relative clause ("that is
sprayed dark brown") is essential to identifying the specific car being referred to.

Exercise 18.3
Fill in the blanks in the following sentences with the appropriate relative pronoun, either "that" or "which."
Choose the correct answer from the alternatives provided.
1. The book _____ (that/ which) I borrowed from 6. The restaurant _____ (that/ which) serves
the library is very interesting. delicious food is always crowded.
2. The cat _____ (that/ which) is sitting on the mat 7. The car _____ (that/ which) was parked outside
is mine. belongs to my neighbour.
3. The movie _____ (that/ which) we watched last 8. The bicycle _____(that/ which) I rode to school
night was entertaining. got a flat tire.
4. The house _____ (that/ which) is located by the 9. The tree _____ (that/ which) shaded the entire
river is for sale. yard was struck by lightning.
5. The laptop _____ (that/ which) I bought 10. The painting _____ (that/ which) was hanging
yesterday is very fast. on the wall caught my attention.

THE USE OF RELATIVE PRONOUNS TO JOIN TWO INDEPENDENT CLAUSES

When using relative pronouns to join two independent clauses, it creates a complex sentence structure known as a
relative clause. The relative clause provides additional information about the noun or subject mentioned in the
main clause. Here are examples of sentences where two independent clauses are joined by relative clauses,
including the two independent clauses and the relative pronoun that connects them:
1. Independent clauses: The book is on the table. I was reading it.
Relative pronoun: that
Combined sentence: The book that I was reading is on the table.
2. Independent clauses: The girl is my sister. She is a talented musician.
Relative pronoun: who
Combined sentence: The girl who is my sister is a talented musician.
3. Independent clauses: The house is for sale. It has a beautiful garden.
Relative pronoun: which
Combined sentence: The house which is for sale has a beautiful garden.
4. Independent clauses: The boy is lost. Its name is Max.
Relative pronoun: whose
Combined sentence: The boy whose name is Max is lost.
5. Independent clauses: The restaurant has great reviews. We went there for dinner.
Relative pronoun: where
Combined sentence: The restaurant where we went for dinner has great reviews.

Exercise 18.5
Fill in the blank space with the correct relative a. that b. which c. whose
pronoun from the alternative given. 6. The book ________ I'm reading is a bestseller.
1. The house ________ we visited last week had a a. that b. which c. whose
beautiful garden. 7. My friend ________ lives in London invited me
a. that b. which c. where to visit.
2. The boy ________ won the competition received a. who b. whom c. whose
a trophy. 8. The city ________ I grew up in has a rich history.
a. who b. whom c. whose a. that b. which c. where
3. The movie ________ I watched yesterday was 9. The painting ________ hangs on the wall is worth
very entertaining. a fortune.
a. that b. which c. when a. that b. which c. whose
4. The restaurant ________ we had dinner at had 10. The laptop ________ I use for work is very
excellent service. reliable.
a. that b. which c. where a. that b. which c. whose
5. The car ________ I want to buy is red.