Relative Pronouns
Grammar 10: Relative Pronouns
Relative pronouns (who, which, that, whose, where, when) join two ideas into one smooth sentence. Using them correctly makes your writing clearer and more advanced—ideal for high marks in your Bac!
Common Relative Pronouns & Uses
| Pronoun | Refers to | Example |
|---|---|---|
| who | People (subject) | The girl who lives next door is my friend. |
| whom | People (object – formal) | The man whom I met is a doctor. (Often replaced by “who” in informal English) |
| which | Things/Animals | The book which is on the table is mine. |
| that | People or things (in defining clauses) | The movie that we watched was amazing. |
| whose | Possession (people/things) | The student whose notebook was lost is upset. |
| where | Places | This is the school where I study. |
| when | Time | I remember the day when we met. |
Defining vs. Non-Defining Clauses
- Defining (essential info – NO commas):
→ The car that is parked outside is mine. (Specifies which car) - Non-defining (extra info – WITH commas):
→ My brother, who lives in Marrakech, is visiting. (We know who “my brother” is)
⚠️ In non-defining clauses, you cannot use “that.”
Quick Practice
Fill in with the correct relative pronoun:
- The woman ______ spoke to us is the principal.
- This is the house ______ I was born.
- The boy ______ dog ran away is crying.
✅ Answers: 1. who/that 2. where 3. whose
Final Tips
- In informal English, “who” often replaces “whom.”
- Use relative clauses in your Bac essays to combine short sentences and show fluency.
- Never use “what” as a relative pronoun: ❌ The book what I read… → ✅ The book that I read…
Relative pronouns = smoother, more sophisticated writing. Use them wisely!