Relative Pronouns

An adjective clause uses pronouns to connect the dependent clause to the independent clause.
who (people)
that (things or people)
which (things)
Subject who vs. Object whom Pronouns
WHO - SUBJECT OF THE CLAUSE WHOM - OBJECT OF THE CLAUSE

The woman who called you is here.
She called you.

The woman (whom) you called is here.
You called her.

Option: You can omit the object pronoun.


Subject and Object Pronoun that
THAT / WHICH - SUBJECT OF THE
CLAUSE
THAT/ WHICH - OBJECT OF THE CLAUSE

The phone that is red is here.
It is red.

The phone that you bought is here.
You bought it.
The phone which is red is here.
It is red

OPTION: "That" can also refer to a person;
"which" cannot.
The phone which you bought is here.
You bought it.

Option: You can omit the object pronoun..




Common Mistakes
ERRORS FIXES
The telephone is here that is yours.
The phone that is yours is here.
The pronoun must be next to the
word it modifies.
*The man which you are talking about isn't a
friend.
The man that / whom/ who you are talking about
isn't a friend.
"Which" cannot refer to a person. Use "that".










Practice
Taking Classes
Which relative pronoun(s) can complete each sentence?

1. My friend told me about a student. The student has taken the TOEFL test twelve times!
My friend told me about a student ____________ has taken the TOEFL test twelve times!
(who, whom, which, that)

2. The professor didn't know the answer to my question. I talked to the professor.
The professor _________________ I talked to didn't know the answer to my question
(who, whom, which, that)

3. I am looking for a college program. The program offers a lot of computer courses.
I am looking for a college program _____________ offers a lot of computer courses.
(who, which, that)

4. Some of the courses have been very useful. I took the courses last semester.
Some of the courses _____________ I took last semester have been very useful.
(who, which that)

5. Some of the courses have been very useful. I took the courses last semester.
Some of the courses ______________ I took last semester have been very useful.

6. My friend studies with me in the afternoon. My friend is in my Networks class.
My friend _____________ is in my Networks class studies with me in the afternoon.
(who, whom, which)

7. Computer Information Systems is the kind of major. The major will guarantee a good job after
graduation.
Computer Information Systems is the kind of major __________ will guarantee a good job
after graduation.
(who, which, that)

8. The class was Programming with PHP. I didn't do will in the class.
The class _____________ I didn't do well in was Programming with PHP.
(who, which, that

9. The courses are mostly graphic arts classes.
The courses are taught in the evening. The courses ____________ are taught in the evening
are mostly graphic arts classes.
(who, which, that)

A person will do well in life. A person has a positive outlook.
A person _______________ has a positive outlook will do well in life.
(who, which)