Table of Contents
1. Using “Who”
The relative pronoun “who” is used to refer to people. It functions as the subject of the relative clause.
Example:
- The girl who is standing over there is my best friend.
In this example, “who” refers to the girl and acts as the subject of the relative clause “is standing over there.”
2. Using “Whom”
The relative pronoun “whom” is also used to refer to people, but it functions as the object of the relative clause.
Example:
- The woman whom I met yesterday is a famous actress.
In this sentence, “whom” refers to the woman and acts as the object of the relative clause “I met yesterday.”
3. Using “Whose”
The relative pronoun “whose” indicates possession or ownership. It is used to refer to both people and things.
Example:
- The student whose book was stolen reported the incident to the teacher.
In this sentence, “whose” refers to the student and indicates possession of the book.
4. Differentiating “Who” and “Whom”
To determine whether to use “who” or “whom,” you can apply a simple trick. If the pronoun functions as the subject in the relative clause, use “who.” If it functions as the object, use “whom.”
Example:
- The boy (who/whom) she loves is her classmate.
To decide between “who” and “whom,” rephrase the sentence without the relative clause:
- She loves (he/him).
Since “he” is the subject, we should use “who” in the relative clause: “The boy who she loves is her classmate.”
5. Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mastering grammar takes practice, but being aware of common mistakes can help you avoid them. Here are a few errors to watch out for when using “who,” “whom,” or “whose” in relative clauses:
Confusing “who” with “whom”: Remember, “who” is used as the subject, while “whom” is used as the object. The trick mentioned above can be handy in making the correct choice.
Incorrect use of “whose”: Ensure that “whose” shows possession, either for people or things.
6. FAQs about Relative Clauses
No, “who” and “whom” have distinct functions in relative clauses. “Who” is used as the subject, while “whom” is used as the object.
“Whose” is used to indicate possession. It can refer to both people and things.
In some cases, the relative pronoun can be omitted, but it is generally recommended to include it for clarity.
Yes, there are additional relative pronouns such as “which,” “that,” and “where,” but they are beyond the scope of this article.
Certainly! Here are a few more examples:
- The dog that barks at night keeps me awake.
- The city where I was born is known for its historical landmarks.
Relative clauses provide additional information, allowing us to describe and define nouns more precisely. They enhance the richness and clarity of our sentences.
