Use of Relative Pronouns are vital grammatical tools also called Linking pronouns as they link the Dependent Relative clause of a sentence to its main clause.
Read the following pairs of sentences and observe how these are joined with the help of Relative Pronouns.
I know the boy. The boy came from Calcutta.
= I know the boy who came from Calcutta.
This is the book. This belongs to my grandfather.
=This is the book which belongs to my grandfather.
This is the rat. It was caught by a cat.
=This is the rat that was caught by a cat.
It is you. You are to be blamed.
= It is you who are to be blamed.
*Note: The nouns or pronouns immediately before the Relative Pronouns are called the Antecedents.
What is the Classification of Relative Pronouns?
Here is a table to classify different uses of Relative Pronoun.
| Relative Pronoun | Used for | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Who (Subject) |
Persons only (both Sing. and Plural) |
I know the man who is honest. He who hesitates is lost. Those Who die for others are immortal. |
|
Whom (Object) |
Persons only (both Sing. and Plural) |
This is the boy whom all praise. These are the boys whom all praise. |
|
Whose (Possessive) |
Persons and things |
This is the man whose pocket was picked. A triangle whose three sides are equal is called an equilateral triangle. |
|
Which (Subject) |
Things without life and animal. |
This is the house which my uncle built. This is the cow which is milking. |
|
That (Subject) |
Persons Animals Things |
He that is content is rich. A dog that barks seldom bites. Take anything that you like. |
Sometimes 'what', 'who' etc. relative pronouns can be used in the beginning of or in the middle of a sentence:
What has happened is not clear.
What cannot be cured must be endured. Who laughs last laughs best.
I don't know what has happened.
I say what I mean,
I know who he is.
How to Handle the Omission of Relative Pronouns?
The Relative pronoun is generally omitted when it is in the objecting case.
The man (whom) I Invited is my friend.
The book (which) I am reading is good.
I am the monarch of all (that) I survey.
The tendency to omit the Accusative (objective) Relative is more marked in the spoken language. In the written language its omission is often felt to be undignified.
- Wren & Martin.
How to Handle the Omission of the Antecedent?
Sometimes the Antecedent of a Relative pronoun is left out.
Who does not work shall not eat.
= (He) Who does not work shall not eat.
Whom the gods love, die young.
= (Those) Whom the gods love, die young.
What is done cannot be undone.
= (That) What is done cannot be undone.
What is the Agreement of the Relative Pronoun and its Antecedent?
As The Relative pronoun refers to a Noun or a Pronoun (i.e. Antecedent), it must be of the same number and person as its Antecedent.
- The boy who was lazy was punished.
- The boys who were lazy were punished.
- I am the last person that is to blame.
- You who are mighty should be merciful.
- He that is down needs fear no fall.
- They who live in glass houses should not throw stones.
- The flowers which grow in our garden are not for sale.
But the case of the Relative pronoun depends upon its relation to the verb in the clause in which it occurs.
Ram is the boy who did it. (subject)
Ram is the boy whom I want. (object)
Ram is the boy whose pencil I want. (possessive)
What is the Correct Position of the Relative Pronoun?
To remove ambiguity, the Relative pronoun should be placed as near as possible to its Antecedent.
(i) The boy who was walking in the field saw a dead man.
We cannot say —
The boy saw a dead man who was walking in the field.
(ii) The boy who won the first prize is the son of my friend.
We cannot say —
The boy is the son of my friend who won the first prize.
What Are Compound Relative Pronouns?
Compound Relative pronouns are formed by adding ever or soever to who, which or what.
- Whoever (= any person who) comes is welcome.
- Take whichever (= anything which) you like.
- Whatever (= anything which) may happen, I'll do this.
- Whatsoever (= anything what) may happen, I'll do this.
- Whomsoever ( = anyone whom).
- You can call whomsoever you see.
What Are Short Forms of Pronouns & Verbs?
- I am = I'm
- I shall/will = I'll
- We are = We're
- We shall = We'll
- You are = You're
- You will = You'll
- I have = I've
- We have = We ve
- He has = He's
- He is = He's
- She is = She's
- They are = They're
- He will = He'll
- She will = She ll
- They will = They'll
- You have = You've
- It is = It's
- That is = That's
Note: Its = of it; It's= It is
These short forms of pronoun & verb are often used in Spoken English.
Key Takeaways
- Relative pronouns (or linking pronouns) connect a dependent relative clause to a main clause.
- The noun or pronoun immediately preceding the relative pronoun is called the antecedent.
- Different relative pronouns serve different functions (who/whom for persons, which for things/animals, whose for possession, and that for persons, animals, and things).
- A relative pronoun must match its antecedent in number and person, while its case depends on its relation to the verb in its clause.
- To avoid ambiguity, place the relative pronoun as close as possible to its antecedent.
Quick Practice
Test your knowledge of relative pronouns by answering the practice questions below in the comments section:
- Fill in the blank: "I know the man ______ helped you yesterday."
- Combine the sentences using a relative pronoun: "This is the pen. It was lost."
FAQs
What is a relative pronoun?
A relative pronoun is a word used to link a dependent relative clause to a main clause, such as who, whom, whose, which, and that.
What is an antecedent?
An antecedent is the noun or pronoun that comes immediately before the relative pronoun in a sentence.
Can relative pronouns be omitted?
Yes, the relative pronoun is generally omitted when it is in the objective case, especially in spoken English.