Choose The Sentence That Contains A Relative Pronoun

When it comes to writing and speaking in English, it’s important to have a strong understanding of grammar rules. One topic that often causes confusion is the use of relative pronouns. Knowing how to choose the correct sentence that contains a relative pronoun can greatly improve the clarity and coherence of your writing. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the role of relative pronouns, how to identify them, and how to use them correctly in sentences.

Understanding Relative Pronouns

Relative pronouns are words that connect a dependent clause to a main clause in a sentence. They serve the purpose of introducing a subordinate clause that provides additional information about a noun. The most common relative pronouns in English are:

• Who
• Whom
• Whose
• Which
• That

These relative pronouns are used to introduce clauses that describe or give more information about a noun in the main clause. It is important to note that relative pronouns often serve as the subject or object of the subordinate clause.

Identifying Relative Pronouns

When trying to identify a relative pronoun in a sentence, there are a few key indicators to look for. Relative pronouns typically introduce a dependent or subordinate clause that provides additional information about a noun. They refer back to a noun or pronoun mentioned earlier in the sentence and serve to connect the two clauses together. Additionally, relative pronouns often function as the subject or object of the subordinate clause.

Here are some examples of how relative pronouns are used in sentences:

• The woman who lives next door is a doctor. (The relative pronoun ‘who’ introduces the clause ‘who lives next door’ and refers back to the noun ‘woman’ in the main clause)
• I have a friend whom I have known since childhood. (The relative pronoun ‘whom’ introduces the clause ‘whom I have known since childhood’ and serves as the object of the clause)
• This is the book that I was telling you about. (The relative pronoun ‘that’ introduces the clause ‘that I was telling you about’ and refers back to the noun ‘book’ in the main clause)

Using Relative Pronouns in Sentences

Now that we understand the role of relative pronouns, it’s important to know how to use them correctly in sentences. Relative pronouns are used to connect a dependent clause to a main clause, and they must agree in number and gender with the noun they are referring to.

Here are some important guidelines for using relative pronouns:

• Use ‘who’ for people: Use ‘who’ as a relative pronoun when referring to people. Example: The woman who lives next door is a doctor.
• Use ‘which’ for things: Use ‘which’ as a relative pronoun when referring to things. Example: I bought a new car, which is parked outside.
• Use ‘that’ for both people and things: Use ‘that’ as a relative pronoun when referring to both people and things. Example: The book that I was reading is very interesting.
• Use ‘whom’ for the object of a verb or preposition: Use ‘whom’ as a relative pronoun when it is the object of a verb or preposition. Example: This is my friend, with whom I’m going to the concert.
• Use ‘whose’ to show possession: Use ‘whose’ as a relative pronoun to indicate possession. Example: The house, whose roof is being repaired, is located on the corner.

Practice Exercises:

Test your understanding of relative pronouns with the following practice exercises. Choose the sentence that contains a relative pronoun:

1. The girl is sitting in the chair that I usually sit in.
2. He is the person who helped me when I was in need.
3. They are the team whom we will be competing against next week.
4. This is the movie which everyone has been talking about.
5. She is the teacher whose class I am enrolled in.

FAQs

What are relative pronouns?

Relative pronouns are words that connect a dependent clause to a main clause in a sentence. They serve the purpose of introducing a subordinate clause that provides additional information about a noun.

How do I identify relative pronouns in a sentence?

Relative pronouns typically introduce a dependent or subordinate clause that provides additional information about a noun. They refer back to a noun or pronoun mentioned earlier in the sentence and serve to connect the two clauses together. Additionally, relative pronouns often function as the subject or object of the subordinate clause.

What are some common relative pronouns in English?

The most common relative pronouns in English are ‘who’, ‘whom’, ‘whose’, ‘which’, and ‘that’.

How do I use relative pronouns in sentences?

Relative pronouns are used to connect a dependent clause to a main clause, and they must agree in number and gender with the noun they are referring to. Use ‘who’ for people, ‘which’ for things, ‘that’ for both people and things, ‘whom’ for the object of a verb or preposition, and ‘whose’ to show possession.

Can relative pronouns be used in formal writing?

Absolutely! Relative pronouns are commonly used in both formal and informal writing to provide additional information about a noun in a sentence.

By understanding the role of relative pronouns and how to use them correctly in sentences, you can greatly improve the clarity and coherence of your writing. Practice using relative pronouns in various sentences to solidify your understanding and continue to build your grammatical knowledge.