Relative Pronouns Exercises with Answers and Rules
| Relative Pronoun | Used For | Example Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| who | People | She is the teacher who helped me. | Joins a clause about a person |
| which | Things, animals | This is the book which I lost. | Refers to a thing or animal |
| that | People, things | This is the watch that I bought. | Can refer to people or things |
| where | Places | This is the house where I grew up. | Refers to a place |
| whom | People (object) | The boy whom I saw is my friend. | Used for the object person |
What Are Relative Pronouns?
Relative pronouns are words that connect a clause or phrase to a noun or pronoun. They make sentences clear and are used to join ideas together, especially in written and spoken English. Common relative pronouns include who, which, that, where, and whom.
Rules for Using Relative Pronouns
Each relative pronoun has its own rules for use. Choosing the correct one depends on the noun you refer to and its role in the sentence. Understanding these rules helps you avoid mistakes.
Key Rules:
- Use who for people (subject of the clause). Example: The student who studies hard will pass.
- Use whom for people (object of the clause). Example: The girl whom we met is friendly.
- Use which for things and animals. Example: The cake which you baked is delicious.
- Use that for people or things (defining clauses). Example: The car that I drive is blue.
- Use where for places. Example: This is the park where I play football.
- Do not use "what" as a relative pronoun in standard English.
- Do not repeat the noun or use extra subject/object (avoid: The man that he is my uncle.)
Relative Pronouns Examples and Explanations
| Relative Pronoun | Example Sentence | Why It’s Correct |
|---|---|---|
| who | I know a person who speaks French. | Refers to a person (subject) |
| whom | This is the girl whom I called. | Refers to a person (object) |
| which | This is the movie which won the award. | Refers to a thing (movie) |
| that | This is the dog that barks loudly. | Refers to an animal (defining clause) |
| where | This is the school where I study. | Refers to a place |
Common Relative Pronouns Mistakes
Students often mix up "who" and "whom," or use "which" for people instead of things. Remember: "that" can often replace "who" or "which" in defining clauses, but not always. Never use "what," or double subjects/objects with relative pronouns.
Relative Pronouns Exercises with Answers
Practice is the best way to master relative pronouns. Try these exercises. Answers are given below for instant feedback.
- She is the artist ____ painted the mural. (who/which/where)
- This is the shop ____ we bought the bag. (where/who/that)
- I have a friend ____ can solve the puzzle. (who/where/which)
- The book ____ you gave me is interesting. (which/where/who)
- The teacher ____ I met was kind. (whom/where/that)
Answers:
- 1: who
- 2: where
- 3: who
- 4: which
- 5: whom
Join the Sentences Using Relative Pronouns
Combine each pair into one sentence using the correct relative pronoun.
- The boy is my cousin. He lives next door.
- This is the garden. We play there.
- She bought a car. The car is red.
- I ate the cake. You made the cake.
Possible Answers:
- 1: The boy who lives next door is my cousin.
- 2: This is the garden where we play.
- 3: She bought a car which is red.
- 4: I ate the cake that you made.
Quick Revision Tips for Relative Pronouns
- Use "who/whom" for people, "which" for things, "where" for places.
- "That" is used for people or things in defining sentences.
- Never use "what" as a relative pronoun in standard grammar.
- Avoid repeating the same subject or object after the pronoun.
- Practice sentence joining to build confidence for exams.
Download Relative Pronouns Exercises PDF
For offline practice, download a printable worksheet at Vedantu’s Pronoun Exercises page.
Related Topics to Explore
- Relative Pronouns Explanation
- Introduction to Pronouns
- Parts of Speech
- Sentence Structure
- Clauses in English Grammar
Mastering relative pronouns improves your writing, exam skills, and spoken English. You will connect ideas clearly and avoid repetition. At Vedantu, you can find more practice, tips, and simple explanations to build your confidence in English grammar. Practice daily, revise the key rules, and use these sentence patterns in real life for best results.
FAQs on Relative Pronouns Exercises and Practice Worksheets
1. What are relative pronouns in English grammar?
Relative pronouns are words that introduce a relative clause and connect it to a noun in the main clause. The most common relative pronouns are who, whom, whose, which, and that.
- They refer back to a noun called the antecedent.
- They give extra information about that noun.
- Example: The girl who won the prize is my sister.
2. What is the function of a relative pronoun in a sentence?
The function of a relative pronoun is to link a dependent (relative) clause to a noun and act as a subject, object, or possessive within that clause.
- As a subject: The teacher who teaches us is kind.
- As an object: The book that I bought is interesting.
- As a possessive: The student whose bag is missing is upset.
3. What is the difference between who and whom?
The difference between who and whom is that who is used as a subject and whom is used as an object in a relative clause.
- Use who when it performs the action: The man who called is my uncle.
- Use whom when it receives the action: The person whom you met is my cousin.
4. When do we use that instead of which?
We use that for defining (restrictive) clauses and which mainly for non-defining (non-restrictive) clauses.
- That: The car that he bought is new. (Essential information)
- Which: The car, which is red, is new. (Extra information with commas)
5. What are defining and non-defining relative clauses?
Defining relative clauses give essential information, while non-defining relative clauses add extra, non-essential information.
- Defining clause: No commas; necessary meaning. Example: Students who study hard succeed.
- Non-defining clause: Uses commas; extra detail. Example: My brother, who lives in London, is a doctor.
6. Can relative pronouns be omitted in English?
Yes, a relative pronoun can be omitted when it functions as the object of a defining relative clause.
- With pronoun: The movie that I watched was exciting.
- Without pronoun: The movie I watched was exciting.
7. How do you use whose in a relative clause?
The relative pronoun whose is used to show possession in a relative clause.
- It replaces possessive forms like his, her, or their.
- Example: The author whose book became famous won an award.
- It can refer to people, animals, or things.
8. What are some common mistakes with relative pronouns?
Common mistakes with relative pronouns include using the wrong pronoun or misplacing commas in relative clauses.
- Using which instead of who for people.
- Using that in non-defining clauses.
- Forgetting commas in non-defining clauses.
- Omitting the pronoun when it is the subject.
9. Can you give examples of sentences with relative pronouns?
Here are clear examples of sentences using common relative pronouns in English grammar.
- The woman who lives next door is friendly.
- The book that you gave me is excellent.
- The house, which was built in 1900, is historic.
- The player whose team won was excited.
10. How can I practice relative pronouns effectively?
You can practice relative pronouns effectively by completing targeted relative pronouns exercises and sentence-combining tasks.
- Combine two sentences using who, which, that, whose, or whom.
- Identify whether the clause is defining or non-defining.
- Correct sentences with common relative pronoun mistakes.
- Write your own examples using different clause types.
