B1Relative Clauses

Relative Pronouns

What is it?

Relative pronouns introduce relative clauses and connect them to the noun they describe. The main relative pronouns are: who (people — subject), whom (people — object), which (things), that (people or things — defining clauses), whose (possession), where (places), when (times), and why (reasons). Choosing the correct pronoun depends on the noun it refers to and its role in the relative clause.

How to form it

Subject	Positive	Negative	Question
who	The man who called is my boss.	The woman who didn't come was ill.	Who is the person who manages this?
which	The car which I drive is old.	The report which wasn't ready caused problems.	Is that the document which you need?
that	This is the film that everyone loves.	It was the answer that I didn't expect.	Is this the form that you filled in?
whose	The student whose work was best won a prize.		Do you know anyone whose English is perfect?
where / when / why	The park where we met is nearby.		Do you know the reason why she left?

• "Who" refers to people and is used as the subject of the relative clause.
• "Whom" refers to people and is used as the object (more formal): "The man whom I met" = "The man who I met".
• "Which" refers to animals and things.
• "That" can replace "who" or "which" in defining clauses, but not in non-defining clauses.
• "Whose" is the possessive form: "the woman whose bag was stolen".
• "Where" = in which / at which (place). "When" = at which (time). "Why" = for which (reason).

When to use it

1
"Who" as subject pronoun for people
She is the teacher who inspired me.
2
"Whom" as object pronoun for people (formal)
The manager whom I spoke to was helpful.
3
"Which" for things and animals
The book which she recommended was brilliant.
4
"That" in defining clauses for people or things
This is the shirt that I want to buy.
5
"Whose" for possession
He's a musician whose songs I love.

Common mistakes

She is the woman which helped me.

She is the woman who helped me.

"Who" is used for people, not "which".

The house who I grew up in was demolished.

The house that/which I grew up in was demolished.

"Which" or "that" is used for things, not "who".

She is the person which I trust most.

She is the person who/that I trust most.

"Who" or "that" for people, not "which".

Quick reference

"Who" = people (subject role). "Whom" = people (object role, formal).
"Which" = things and animals.
"That" = people or things (defining clauses only).
"Whose" = possession (people or things).
"Where" = places, "when" = times, "why" = reasons.
In informal English, "who" often replaces "whom".

Natural conversation example

Friends discuss a job advert.

Cal

I saw a job advert that looks perfect for you.

Ria

Really? What kind of company is it?

Cal

It's a tech firm whose products are used all over the world.

Ria

Who is the person that I'd be reporting to?

Cal

The head of marketing — someone whose name I recognise from the industry.

Ria

Where is the office? Is it in the same area where you work?

Cal

It's in the tech hub, which is easy to get to by train.

Ria

That's the reason why I've been keeping an eye out for opportunities there.

Practice Exercises

Fill in the correct relative pronoun: who, which, that, whose, where, when, or why.

1.
That's the hotel __ we stayed on our honeymoon.
2.
He is the colleague __ desk is next to mine.
3.
I remember the day __ we first met.
4.
She is the scientist __ discovered the vaccine.
5.
The reason __ I left is personal.
6.
This is the watch __ my grandfather gave me.
7.
Do you know anyone __ can speak Japanese?
8.
The company __ she works for is expanding.
9.
It was the moment __ everything changed.
10.
She's the artist __ work I admire most.

Relative Clauses (overview)All Topics Compound Relative Pronouns

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