1. Unit 13: Relative Pronouns
English Grammar I
Unit 13: Relative Pronouns

2. Unit 13: Relative Pronouns
Relative pronouns are that, who, whom, whose, which. They are used to join clauses to make a complex sentence. Relative pronouns are also used at the beginning of the subordinate clause which gives some specific information about the main clause. Relative Pronouns and their usage are listed as follows:

3. Unit 13: Relative Pronouns
13.1 The usage of Relative Pronouns
Who: who can be used as a subject or an object for people.
The girl who is talking to the teacher is my cousin.
The girl who you talked with is my nephew.

4. Unit 13: Relative Pronouns
Which: which can be used as a subject or an object pronoun for animals and things.
The dog which is barking at the stranger belongs to Mr. Smith.
The book which you bought was interesting.

5. Unit 13: Relative Pronouns
Whose: whose is used as possession for people and things.
Do you know the girl whose hair is long and wavy?
Look at that house whose roof was painted red.

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Whom: whom is used as an object pronoun for people.
The mechanic whom you mentioned is great.
The boy to whom your brother talk is my cousin.

7. Unit 13: Relative Pronouns
That: When used as a relative pronoun, that can refer to either persons or things. The relative pronoun “that” is generally used in defining relative clauses.
The people that were here yesterday will return in a month. The newspaper that was on the steps belongs to our neighbor.

8. Unit 13: Relative Pronouns
＊In these examples, that has the antecedents people and newspaper, and introduces the defining relative clauses.

9. Unit 13: Relative Pronouns
When that acts as the object of a verb or preposition. It can be omitted.
The comic book (that) you bought is interesting.
The house (that) they tried to sell was old.

10. Unit 13: Relative Pronouns
“that” may be used to replace who, whom or which.
The boy whom we saw is her brother.
The boy that we saw is her brother. The shirt which you are wearing looks good on you.
The shirt that you are wearing looks good on you.

11. Unit 13: Relative Pronouns
＊Subject and object pronouns can be distinguish as follows: If the relative pronoun is followed by a verb, the relative pronoun is a subject pronoun.
＊If the relative pronoun is followed by a noun or pronoun, the relative pronoun is an object pronoun. The relative pronoun may be omitted.

12. Unit 13: Relative Pronouns
Cody has bought a sports car that cost him an arm and a leg.
This is the latest magazine (that) you are looking for. The boy (that) we saw is Sue’s brother.

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Restrictive clauses and Non-restrictive clause
A restrictive clause gives essential information about the subject of the sentence. It restricts the meaning of the sentence by identifying the quality of the noun. A restrictive sentence does not need commas.

14. Unit 13: Relative Pronouns
A non-restrictive clause gives descriptive information that is not essential to the meaning of the sentence. It usually provides extra information about the subject of the sentence. A non-restrictive sentence needs commas.

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The book that Sean is reading is George’s.
(the restrictive clause “Sean is reading” tells which book is George’s.)
That boy, who is tall and slim, is my sister’s boyfriend.
(that cannot be used in a non-restrictive sentence)

16. Unit 13: Relative Pronouns
Position of Prepositions in A relative clause
A preposition can come before the relative pronoun, after a verb or at the end of the sentence. If a preposition comes before the relative pronoun, which or whom is used and cannot be omitted.

17. Unit 13: Relative Pronouns
If the preposition is after the verb or at the end of the sentence, who, whom, or which can be used and omitted.

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The man to whom I am talking is my geography teacher.
The man (who) I am talking to is my geography teacher.
The house in which he lives was built by his grandfather.
The house (which) he lives in was built by his grandfather.

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Relative clauses and participle
Relative clauses with who, which, that as subject pronoun can be replaced with a participle. This makes the sentence shorter and easier to understand.

20. Unit 13: Relative Pronouns
I told you about the woman who lives next door.
I told you about the woman living next door.
Do you see the cat which is lying on the Carpet?
Do you see the cat lying on the Carpet?

21. Unit 13: Relative Pronouns
Exercise: Fill in the blank with a correct relative pronoun
This is the building ___________ was on fire last week.
Those men ______________ robbed the bank were caught.
The car ______________ doors are red belongs to my teacher.

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The book __________ I bought for my son has a lot of pictures in it.
The house __________ they lives in is not very large.
The man ___________ you met at the party is a famous singer.
That is the restaurant _______ steak is the most famous in town.

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13.2 Relative Adverbs:
A relative adverb is an adverb that introduces a relative clause. Relative adverbs include when, where and why. No preposition is used with relative adverbs.

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Where: where means in which or at which.
This is the coffee shop in which I met my husband.
This is the coffee shop which I met husband in.
This is the coffee shop where I met my husband.

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When: when means in which, on which.
I still remember the day on which we met.
I still remember the day when we met.

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Why: why means for which
She couldn’t explain the reason for which she did it.
She couldn’t explain the reason (why) she did it.
＊ why can be omitted after the reason.

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What: what has the meaning the thing or things that. It can be used to emphasis nouns:
What you did made her happy.
What she said was not true.
What you need is a good sleep.
What you have to do is to apologize.

28. Unit 13: Relative Pronouns
Exercise: Use relative adverb to complete each sentence.
It is the place ___________ we meet for a drink once a week.
It is important to know __________ is happening in the world.
___________ I should do is find out _________ the bag is.

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James’s wife didn’t believe _________ he said __________ made him angry.
Please tell me _____________ you were late.
I appreciate ___________ you have done for my son.
Tell me __________ you are crying.

30. Unit 13: Relative Pronouns
13.3 Pronouns adverbs
Pronouns adverbs such as whoever, whatever, whenever or wherever are used to express “it” doesn’t matter who / what / when / where, and anyone / anything / anytime

31. Unit 13: Relative Pronouns
Whatever: Whatever has the meaning no matter what, or anything that.
Do whatever you want to do. It’s none of my business.
Take whatever you like.

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Whoever: Whoever has the meaning no matter who, or anyone who.
Whoever leaves the classroom last should turn off the lights and fans.
A prize will be given to whoever wins the contest.
Let in whoever comes to the door.

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Wherever: wherever has the meaning at any place.
Please put the book wherever Keith can easily find it.
You can go wherever you like.

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Whenever: whenever has the meaning at any time.
Aaron is busy with something whenever I see him.
You can come back whenever you want.

35. Unit 13: Relative Pronouns
Exercise: Use pronoun adverb to complete each sentence
Don’t worry! I will do ___________ I can to help you.
____________ Joseph drinks alcohol, he becomes talkative.
___________ broke the vase will have to pay for it.

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_____________ it rains heavily, the road is flooded
You can go _________________ you like.
_______________ I go outside, I have my parasol with me.
I can give my money to ___________ I like.