Relative Pronouns

What is a relative pronoun? A relative pronoun is one which is used to refer to nouns mentioned previously, whether
they are people, places, things, animals, or ideas. Relative pronouns can be used to join two sentences.
There are only a few relative pronouns in the English language. The most common are which, that, whose, whoever,
whomever, who, and whom. In some situations, the words what, when, and where can also function as relative
pronouns. Because there are only a few of them, there are also just a few rules for using relative pronouns. Keep them
in mind as you write.
Relative clauses are typically introduced by relative pronouns, and that the relative pronoun can function as a
possessive pronoun, an object, or a subject.
When relative pronouns introduce restrictive relative clauses, no comma is used to separate the restrictive clause
from the main clause.
In American English, the relative pronoun whom is used rarely. You may notice this in conversations, but it is best to
use the term when writing to ensure that your work is grammatically correct.
Relative Pronouns Examples
The following sentences contain examples of relative pronouns. The relative pronoun in each example is italicized.
The cyclist who won the race trained hard.
The pants that I bought yesterday are already stained.
The four team leaders, whomever the committee selects, will be at tomorrow’s meeting.
Spaghetti, which we eat at least twice a week, is one of my family’s favorite meals.
Where did you buy the dress what you wore last week?
The book, when it was finally returned, was torn and stained.
The store on the corner, where we usually buy all of our art supplies, burned to the ground.
List of Relative Pronouns: Who, Whom, That, Which, Whoever, Whomever and Whichever.
Relative Pronouns Exercises
1.Choose the best answer to complete each sentence.
The festival, ______________ lasted all day, ended with a banquet.
That Who Which What
2. I am looking for someone __________ can watch my dog while I go on vacation.
Which Who Whom Whoever
3. The police needed details _____________ could help identify the robber.
Who Whatever That What
4. I’d like to take you to a café _______________ serves excellent coffee.
What Whatever Which Whichever
5. The clubhouse, in __________ the dance was held, housed about 200 people.
Which Where That Whom
6. You can choose one person, __________ you like, to share the cruise with you.
Whomever That Which Whom
7. I saw the shoes __________ you bought last week on sale for less this week.
When What Who Whom
The winners, __________ known, will receive money and other prizes.
Whoever Who When That
This is the place __________ we met.
When Where Who That
The baby, ________ nap had been interrupted, wailed loudly.
Whose Whomever Whom Who
Reflexive Pronouns
What Is a Reflexive Pronoun? A reflexive pronoun is a type of pronoun that is preceded by the adverb, adjective,
pronoun, or noun to which it refers, so long as that antecedent is located within the same clause.
In English grammar, a reflexive pronoun indicates that the person who is realizing the action of the verb is also the
recipient of the action. While this might seem strange at first glance, the following examples of reflexive pronouns and
the accompanying list of reflexive pronouns will help you gain thorough understanding. In fact, you will probably notice
that you yourself use reflexive pronouns frequently when speaking or writing.
Examples of Reflexive Pronouns
I was in a hurry, so I washed the car myself.
You’re going to have to drive yourself to school today.
He wanted to impress her, so he baked a cake himself.
Jennifer does chores herself because she doesn’t trust others to do them right.
That car is in a class all by itself.
We don’t have to go out; we can fix dinner ourselves.
You are too young to go out by yourselves.
The actors saved the local theatre money by making costumes themselves.
Reflexive Pronouns List: Myself, Yourself, Herself, Himself, Itself, Yourselves, Ourselves and Themselves.
Reflexive Pronoun Exercises
Choose the best answer to complete each sentence.
1.Each morning, I brush my teeth and stare at ______________ in the mirror.
Himself Herself Myself Itself
2. Dad and I painted the trailer _______________.
Myself Himself Itself Ourselves
3. The children made holiday decorations by ________________.
Itself Ourselves Themselves Their selves
4. Paul copies his friend’s homework instead of doing it _______________.
Itself Himself Myself Yourself
5. Please make ________________ at home while you wait.
Themselves Himself Yourselves Herself
Answers

1. C – The festival, which lasted all day, ended with a banquet.

2. B – I am looking for someone who can watch my dog while I go on vacation.
3. C – The police needed details that could help identify the robber.
4. C – I’d like to take you to a café which serves excellent coffee.
5. A – The clubhouse, in which the dance was held, housed about 200 people.
6. A – You can choose one person, whomever you like, to share the cruise with you.
7. B – I saw the shoes what you bought last week on sale for less this week.
8. C – The winners, when known, will receive money and other prizes.
9. B – This is the place where we met.
10. A – The baby, whose nap had been interrupted, wailed loudly.

1. Answer: C. Each morning, I brush my teeth and stare at myself in the mirror.

2. Answer: D. Dad and I painted the trailer ourselves.

3. Answer: C. The children made holiday decorations by themselves.

4. Answer: B. Paul copies his friend’s homework instead of doing it himself.

5. Answer: C. Please make yourselves at home while you wait.