Relative Pronouns (1)

RELATIVE PRONOUNS
A relative pronoun is a pronoun that’s used to introduce a relative

clause. The main English relative pronouns are which, that, who,
and whom. These words can also function as other parts of speech—
they aren’t exclusively used as relative pronouns.
A relative clause introduces further information about the
preceding noun or noun phrase, either helping to identify what it
refers to (in a restrictive clause) or just providing extra details (in a
nonrestrictive clause).
The relative clause comes after a noun or noun phrase (called
the antecedent) and gives some additional information about the thing
or person in question. The relative pronoun represents the antecedent.
WHICH THAT
That and which are both normally used

when the antecedent is an animal or thing,
not a person. Which one you use depends
on whether the relative clause is restrictive
or nonrestrictive.
A restrictive clause provides essential identifying
information about the antecedent. In other words, if you
removed a restrictive clause, the meaning of the sentence
would change drastically, becoming much less specific. You
should use that to introduce a restrictive clause.
EXAMPLES:
The houses that I lived in previously were all quite small.
The subject that I liked best in school was chemistry.
A nonrestrictive clause, on the other hand, provides
information that could be removed without affecting the basic
meaning of the sentence. These clauses are separated by
commas from the rest of the sentence, and they are introduced
by which.
EXAMPLES
My previous house, which was quite small, was in Coventry.
I did well in chemistry, which was always my favorite subject.
Who whom
The difference between who and whom is rarely observed in everyday speech nowadays
—people mostly just say “who”—but you should distinguish between them in formal
and academic writing.
 Who functions as the subject of the clause (i.e., the person/people performing the
action).
 Whom functions as the object of the clause (i.e., the person/people being acted upon).
EXAMPLES:
She was the last person to whom I wanted to speak, but I greeted her warmly all the
same.
I don’t like people who only talk about themselves.
My neighbor Jamil, whom I’d never met before, came over to introduce himself
yesterday.
Who that
Who (along with whom) is used only to refer to people (and sometimes animals). It’s
never used for things.
That is a trickier subject. It’s primarily used for things other than people, but it’s often
used to refer to people too, especially when making a generalization (e.g.,
“parents that engage with their kids”) and sometimes also with specific people (e.g.,
“it was Steph that said it”). Note that which is never used in this way.
This usage is considered wrong by many style guides, although some authorities argue
that it shouldn’t be, since it’s been common for a long time. We recommend
maintaining a clear distinction in your writing, using who or whom for people
and that or which for things.
 People that signed up to participate were asked to complete a preliminary survey.
 People who signed up to participate were asked to complete a preliminary survey.
A. FORM GERUNDS AND INFINITIVES
Gerunds Verb + ing Working, listening, seeing, reading, going
Infinitive To + verb To work, to listen, to see, to read, to go
B. USAGE
Function Example
Subject Training a puppy is not an easy job.
Gerund Complement My favorite hobby is reading.
Object I enjoy walking my dog.
Subject To run often is good for your health.
Infinitive Complement His dream is to become an actor.
Object I prefer to keep animals outside.
Examples:
 I hate to see that guy.
 When do you plan to eat dinner?
 We always finish practicing at six o´clock.
 Marsha loves being the best at everything.
 Going to the movies on weekends is fun.
 You can begin writing now, class!
PRACTICE ACTIVITY
 I need to finishing a report today.

 Make bread is not a difficult thing to do.
 I don’t want eating too much food at the party.
 Justine liking to listen to loud music.
 I’m sorry for to be late.
 Andrew enjoys run in the morning.
YES/NO QUESTIONS
Yes, I am.
Am I Yes, he is.
Yes, she is.
He talking to loudly?
Yes, it is.
Yes, you are.
Is She excercising? Yes, they are.
Yes, we are
It helping you?
No, I´m not
You driving to La Ceiba? No, he isn’t
No, she isn’t
Are They No, it isn’t
No, you aren’t
We No, they aren’t
No, we aren’t
YES/ NO QUESTIONS USING
DO/DOES
Answers
I Yes, I do /No, I don´t
You Yes, you do /No, you don´t
Do need to go outside?
We Yes, we do /No, we don´t
They Yes, they do /No, they don´t
She Yes, she does /No, she doesn’t

Does He eat pizza? Yes, he does /No, he doesn’t
It Yes, it does /No, it doesn’t
Do
Do
Does
Does
Do
Does
Do
Does
don´t you
is he
doesn´t she
can´t we
haven’t they
will you
isn’t he
did she
weren’t you
have they
isn’t it
didn´t you
won’t he

Relative Pronouns (1)

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RELATIVE PRONOUNS

A relative pronoun is a pronoun that’s used to introduce a relative

That and which are both normally used

 I need to finishing a report today.

She Yes, she does /No, she doesn’t

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