What are relative pronouns?

1. Grammar Toolkit Relative pronouns What are relative pronouns?

2. Grammar Toolkit Relative pronouns A relative pronoun introduces a clause. The rider ___________________ needed a shower. who won the race The pronoun “relates” the clause back to a noun, noun group or clause. Which rider needed a shower? The rider who won the race.

3. Grammar Toolkit Relative pronouns Use who, whomand whoseto refer to people. Whosemay also refer to things and animals. the woman _____ gave a speech who Use who to refer to the subject of the clause (the woman). John lent his camera to a friend _______ he trusted. whom Use whom to refer to an object in the sentence (the friend). the author _______ book we performed whose Use whose to show possession (by the author) the company _______ employees were very keen whose Use whose to show possession (by the company).

4. Grammar Toolkit Relative pronouns Use whichto refer to an animal or thing. Use thatto refer to people, animals or things. The swarm of bees, _______ appeared when Yogi shook the hive, chased us away. which You catch the bus ______ leaves at 5 pm. that Where are the rescuers _____ Mr French said would come? that Your dinner, _______ I must say looks delicious, is getting cold. which

5. Grammar Toolkit Relative pronouns When do you usethat? When do you use which? Use thatif the clause that the pronoun introduces is essential to the meaning of the sentence. Where are the shoes thatyou need for tomorrow’s game? Not just any shoes — the shoes needed for the game. Use whichif the clause that the pronoun introduces could be deleted without affecting the meaning of the sentence. If you use which, put a comma before it. Your tennis shoes, whichneed cleaning, are under the bed. The shoes need cleaning, but the sentence makes sense without that information.

6. Grammar Toolkit Relative pronouns • A pronoun stands in place of a noun. A relative pronoun introduces a clause and “relates” it back to a noun, noun group or clause. • Use who, whomand whoseto refer to people. Whosemay also refer to things and animals. • Use whichto refer to an animal or thing. Use thatto refer to people, animals or things. • Use thatif the clause that the pronoun introduces is essential to the meaning of the sentence. Use whichif the clause that the pronoun introduces could be deleted without affecting the meaning of the sentence. • In the following sentence, the relative pronoun isred. The kangaroo thatescaped from the zoo has been found.

7. Grammar Toolkit Relative pronouns The End