Relative pronouns are words like who, whom, that, which and whose. Clauses introduced by relative pronouns are called relative clauses or adjective clauses. Note that a relative clause or adjective clause says something about the noun or pronoun that goes before it.
The relative pronoun ‘who’ can only refer to people and the relative pronoun ‘which’ can only refer to things.
The relative pronoun ‘that’ can refer to both people and things.
The words what and which are relative adverbs. They are also used to introduce relative clauses.
Complete the following sentences using appropriate relative pronouns.
1. Everyone respects people ……………… are honest.
We use who to refer to people and which to refer to things or animals.
2. We saw the dog ………………… chased the cat.
Both 'that' and 'which' can refer to animals or things.
3. He ……………….. does his best shall be rewarded.
The relative pronoun 'who' acts as the subject of the relative clause.
4. I know ………………… you mean.
5. She has gone to Mangalore ………………… is her native place.
'That' is not possible in non-identifying relative clauses.
6. I have never seen the bird ………………… you are talking about.
In identifying relative clauses, both 'that' and 'which' are possible.
7. I know the man ………………… kidnapped the child.
Use 'who' to refer to people.
8. You must give away ………………. you do not need.
9. There is no one ………………….. has not lost a dear one.
In identifying relative clauses 'who' and 'that' are both possible.
10. Here is the phone ………………. you lost.
In identifying relative clauses both 'that' and 'which' can be used to refer to things.
Answers
1. Everyone respects people who / that are honest.
2. We saw the dog that / which chased the cat.
3. He who / that does his best shall be rewarded.
4. I know what you mean.
5. She has gone to Mangalore which is her native place.
6. I have never seen the bird that / which you are talking about.
7. I know the man who / that kidnapped the child.
8. You must give away what you do not need.
9. There is no one who / that has not lost a dear one.
10. Here is the phone that / which you lost.
