Introduction to Relative Clauses and Relative Pronouns

Relative clauses are dependent clauses that provide additional information about a noun or pronoun in a sentence. They are introduced by relative pronouns, such as who, whom, whose, which, and that. Understanding how to use relative clauses and relative pronouns correctly is essential for creating complex, informative sentences in English.

Common Terms and Definitions

Relative Clause: A dependent clause that modifies a noun or pronoun in the main clause, providing additional information.

Relative Pronoun: A pronoun that introduces a relative clause and connects it to the main clause.

Restrictive (Essential) Clause: A relative clause that provides essential information about the noun or pronoun it modifies, without which the meaning of the sentence would change.

Non-restrictive (Non-essential) Clause: A relative clause that provides additional, non-essential information about the noun or pronoun it modifies, which can be removed without changing the core meaning of the sentence.

Relative Pronouns and Their Uses

Who: Used to refer to people in the subject position.

Whom: Used to refer to people in the object position.

Whose: Used to show possession for people and animals.

Which: Used to refer to things, animals, and ideas.

That: Used to refer to people, animals, and things in restrictive clauses.

Rules for Using Relative Clauses and Pronouns

1. Use "who" and "whom" for people, "which" for things and animals, and "that" for people, animals, and things in restrictive clauses.
2. Use "whose" to show possession for both people and animals.
3. Restrictive clauses are not set off by commas, while non-restrictive clauses are set off by commas.
4. The relative pronoun can be omitted in restrictive clauses when it is not the subject of the clause.

Examples of Relative Clauses and Pronouns

1. The woman who lives next door is a doctor. (restrictive)

2. My brother, whom you met last week, is a lawyer. (non-restrictive)

3. The book that I borrowed from the library is due next week. (restrictive)

4. The cat, which belongs to my neighbor, likes to sleep on my porch. (non-restrictive)

5. The student whose project won the science fair is going to the national competition. (restrictive)

Common Questions and Answers

When should I use "who" or "whom"?

Use "who" when referring to people in the subject position and "whom" when referring to people in the object position. A simple trick is to replace "who" with "he/she" and "whom" with "him/her" to see which one sounds correct.

What is the difference between restrictive and non-restrictive clauses?

Restrictive clauses provide essential information about the noun or pronoun they modify, and they are not set off by commas. Non-restrictive clauses provide additional, non-essential information and are set off by commas.

Can I leave out the relative pronoun in a relative clause?

You can omit the relative pronoun in a restrictive clause when it is not the subject of the clause. For example, "The book (that) I borrowed from the library is due next week."

Conclusion

Relative clauses and relative pronouns are essential tools for creating complex, informative sentences in English. By understanding the different types of relative pronouns, the rules for using them, and the distinction between restrictive and non-restrictive clauses, you can effectively incorporate relative clauses into your writing and speech. Practice using relative clauses and pronouns in various contexts to master this important aspect of English grammar.