Relative pronouns introduce relative clauses and connect them to the main clause. They refer back to a noun or pronoun mentioned earlier in the sentence and help provide additional information about it. Here’s an overview of relative pronouns along with five examples for each:
- Who:
- Refers to people.
- Examples:
- The woman who lives next door is a doctor.
- Do you know the man who won the race?
- I have a friend who speaks five languages.
- She is the one who baked the delicious cake.
- The teacher who helped me was very kind.
- Whom:
- Also refers to people, especially as the object of a verb or preposition.
- Examples:
- The person whom I met at the party is my cousin.
- Do you know the girl whom he invited to the dance?
- He is the doctor whom I consulted about my illness.
- The artist, whom everyone admires, is exhibiting her work.
- She is the one whom they elected as their leader.
- Which:
- Refers to animals or things.
- Examples:
- The dog which barks loudly belongs to my neighbor.
- Do you see the car which is parked in front of the house?
- This is the book which I was telling you about.
- The house, which was built in the 19th century, is now a museum.
- Is this the movie which you wanted to watch?
- That:
- Can refer to both people and things.
- Examples:
- The man that you met yesterday is my brother.
- Do you know the restaurant that serves the best pizza in town?
- This is the computer that I use for work.
- The book that I borrowed from the library is due tomorrow.
- Is this the dress that you bought last week?
- Whose:
- Indicates possession and is used for both people and things.
- Examples:
- The boy whose bicycle was stolen reported it to the police.
- Do you know the woman whose car broke down on the highway?
- This is the house whose roof needs repairs.
- The company, whose CEO just resigned, is facing financial difficulties.
- She is the artist whose paintings are on display at the gallery.
Relative pronouns help to provide more information about nouns or pronouns in a sentence, linking dependent clauses to main clauses and enhancing the clarity and flow of the sentence.
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