English grammar - who, whom, that, which, where: explana... https://www.learn-english-today.com/lessons/lesson_content...

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Relative pronouns and relative adverbs

introduce relative clauses.
'Who' - 'whose' - 'whom' - 'that' and 'which' - are
relative pronouns.
'Where' is a relative adverb.

There is often confusion about the use of

or

• We use when referring to people or

when we want to know the person.
◦ ate all the chocolates?
◦ called the police?
◦ The man witnessed the accident
called the police.
◦ The person answered the phone
was very helpful.

• We use to refer to a thing or an idea,

and to ask about choices.
◦ My car, is 20 years old, isn't
worth much.
◦ The castle, was built in the
18th century, is a local attraction.
◦ size would you like: small,
medium or large?
Please place a pin on the
◦ would you prefer: red or white?
guestmap to show where you
come from.
• We use for both a person and a thing/
idea.
It should be noted, however, that is
preferred when referring to a particular
person. Many thanks for all your
When is used, it usually refers to encouraging messages.
classes or types of people. Much appreciated.

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English grammar - who, whom, that, which, where: explana... https://www.learn-english-today.com/lessons/lesson_content...

◦ This is the style I want to use.

◦ The car belongs to the company
is the red one over there.
◦ She is person
can be trusted.
◦ He's player
attracts the crowds.
◦ I want to speak to the person
(not that) called me this morning.
◦ The person (not that) borrowed
the dictionary should return it as
soon as possible.

• refers to ownership.
◦ dictionary is this?
◦ I don't know coat this is.
◦ There's the girl car was stolen.
◦ The student article was
published received a prize.

•
When is the object of a verb,
can be used instead, but it is formal and
rather old-fashioned.
In modern speech, we use , or we leave
out the pronoun.

◦ did you wish to speak?

(formal)
◦ would you like to speak to?
(modern speech)
◦ You are referring to a person no
longer works here.
◦ The person you are referring
no longer works here.
◦ The person you are referring
no longer works here.

is always used when it is preceded

by quantifiers such as , , ,
, , etc.
For example:

◦ She addressed the spectators,

remained seated.
◦ The mayor welcomed the boys and
girls, wore their school
uniform.
◦ He greeted the soldiers,
were injured.

• (relative adverb) refers to places

and locations.
◦ is the station please?
◦ That's I spent my childhood.

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English grammar - who, whom, that, which, where: explana... https://www.learn-english-today.com/lessons/lesson_content...

I know a woman. I know a woman

She speaks 6 speaks 6
languages. languages.

I know a I know a woman

woman. Her
husband speaks 6 speaks 6
languages. languages.

I spoke to a The person

person yesterday. I spoke
yesterday
(formal)
The person I
spoke to
yesterday
(informal)

I live in a house. It I live in a house

is 200 years old. is 200
years old.

That's the hotel. That's the hotel

We stayed there we stayed
last year. last year.
That's the hotel
we stayed
last year.
That's the hotel
we
stayed last year.

When can we leave out relative pronouns (who,

whom, which, that)?

In conversational English relative pronouns can

be omitted when they are the of a relative
clause. In a formal context it is usually wiser to
leave the relative pronoun.

Tom drives a red truck.

→ The person drives a red truck is

called Tom.
In this sentence 'who' refers to the
so it be omitted.

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English grammar - who, whom, that, which, where: explana... https://www.learn-english-today.com/lessons/lesson_content...

→ The truck ( ) Tom drives is red.

In this sentence 'that' refers to the
(the truck) so it be omitted.

A relative is used to introduce a relative

.
A relative clause is a description for a noun.
The description comes after the noun to identify
it or give more information.

• A identifies a
noun. It provides information necessary for
identification.
(These clauses are also called identifying
relative clauses or restrictive relative
clauses)
Defining relative clauses are put in
commas.

The clause "who is speaking" clarifies

which woman you are referring to.
It is a defining relative clause.

• A adds
information which is not essential for
identification purposes.
(These clauses are also called non-
identifying relative clauses or non-
restrictive relative clauses.)
Non-defining relative clauses are put in
commas.

The clause "who is a friend of mine" adds

non-essential information.
It is a non-defining relative clause.

' cannot replace ' to

introduce a non-defining relative clause.

You cannot say:

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English grammar - who, whom, that, which, where: explana... https://www.learn-english-today.com/lessons/lesson_content...

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