Relative pronouns are words like who, whom, which, that and whose. They not only connect two clauses but also serve as the subject or object of the verb in the relative clause. They replace words like he, she, they, him, her, them etc.
1. I know a man ………………….. son studies in the US.
The relative pronoun whose can connect two clauses and replace possessive pronouns like his, her or their.
2. The thief ………………… stole the watch was punished.
Which can only be used to refer to things. Whom is an object pronoun.
3. Show me the road ………………. leads to Agra.
Both that and which can refer to things.
4. He …………….. does his best should be rewarded.
When we split the clauses we get the following: He does his best. He should be rewarded. The relative pronoun 'who' can connect two clauses and replace pronouns like he, she and they.
5. My grandfather ………………. I loved is dead.
Whom is the correct option here. Who is also possible in an informal style.
6. Wellington ………………. defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo was a great general.
7. We met a child ……………. had lost his way.
8. He is a rascal ……………… no one likes.
When we split the clauses we get the following: He is a rascal. No one likes him. The relative pronoun ‘whom’ replaces words like him, her and them.
9. That boy ……………… you see over there plays very well.
When we split the clauses we get: That boy plays very well. You see him over there. The relative pronoun ‘whom’ replaces words like him, her and them. 'Who' is also possible here in an informal style.
10. Here are the keys ………………. you were looking for.
Both 'that' and 'which' can refer to things.
11. The dog bit the burglar ……………….. had broken into the house.
When we split the clauses we get the following: The dog bit the burglar. He had broken into the house. The relative pronoun who replaces words like he, she and they.
12. Coal ……………… is a useful mineral is found in many parts of the world.
When we split the clauses we get the following: Coal is a useful mineral. It is found in many parts of the world. The relative pronoun ‘which’ replaces pronouns like it.
Answers
1. I know a man whose son studies in the US.
2. The thief who stole the watch was punished.
3. Show me the road which / that leads to Agra.
4. He who does his best should be rewarded.
5. My grandfather who/whom I loved is dead.
6. Wellington who defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo was a great general.
7. We met a child who had lost his way.
8. He is a rascal whom no one likes.
9. That boy who / whom you see over there plays very well.
10. Here are the keys that / which you were looking for.
11. The dog bit the burglar who had broken into the house.
12. Coal which is a useful mineral is found in many parts of the world.
