INSTRILL

Relative Pronoun

We often use the words “what, which, and whose” in the mid of a sentence, but do you know under which category of pronouns these falls? These come under the relative pronouns. So, in this article, we will learn more about the meaning, uses and examples of relative pronoun.

Meaning of Relative Pronouns

Relative pronouns act as a point of a link to join the two sentences together and also connect the subject as a noun or pronoun with the rest of the sentence in the subordinating clause.

For Example: whose, that, what, which, who, whom.

Suppose there are two separate sentences. For Example –

• This is the girl. She saved a kid from drowning in the sea.

So, how we will join these two sentences? We can join these sentences by using a relative pronoun.

• This is the girl who saved a kid from drowning in the sea.

Uses and Examples of Relative Pronouns

• The boy flies the balloon that was purchased from the vendor.

• This is the girl who received the declamation award this year.

• The person who inspired me is my teacher.

• The highlighter that I borrowed from my friend worked smoothly.

• The presentation, which I submitted yesterday, was created by my sister.

• This is the girl whose mother break her own record in swimming.

Relative Pronouns: Restrictive or Non-Restrictive Clause

The relative pronouns such as which or who depend on whether the clause is restrictive or non-restrictive.

Restrictive

The noun, pronoun, or clause is placed before the relative pronoun.

Using the relative pronoun in the clause establishes a defined relationship with the noun, which is placed just earlier in it.

For Example

• The boy who drives the cycle here participates in the cycling marathon today.

In this example, the relative pronoun “who” defines the noun “boy”. So, it means “who” – restrictively used for “boy”.

Non-Restrictive

In a non-restrictive clause, the relative pronoun postulates additional information about the first clause used in the sentence.

A comma (,) should be placed just before the relative pronoun and at the end of the first clause.

For Example

• My father gifted me a vacation trip, which is in Kerala.

In this example, the relative pronoun “which” doesn’t define the “vacation trip,” but it gives more information about it.

Rules for Relative Pronoun

Never use comma (,) with a relative pronoun “that”

When we are separating two sentences with a comma, then we can’t place “that” in a relative clause. However, we can use “who/whom/which” after the placement of the comma (,) in a relative clause.

For example:

• She has borrowed a book, that is full of riddles. (Incorrect)

• She has borrowed a book, which is full of riddles. (Correct)

Always use verbs with a relative pronoun “who”

“Who” is used as a subject in the relative clause but always remember we have to use verbs just after the usage of “who” as a relative pronoun in the sentence.

For example:

• The person who is teaching the kids is my father.

Relative Pronoun Exercise

1. The girl ________ is playing in the garden is my niece.	(that / who)
2. Ankita reads a novel, _________ was written by Jim Collins.	(which / that)
3. This is the girl _________ dog save my grandma.	(whom / whose)
4. The boy, _________ you motivated, snatched the gold medal in archery.	(that / whom)

ENGLISH-RELATED CONCEPTS:

Noun	Emphatic Pronoun
Future Tense	Present Tense