Relative pronouns

Relative clauses are essential for adding information about nouns.

These clauses often begin with a relative pronoun, such as which, who, that, or whom. In some cases, these pronouns can be omitted.

Defining Relative Clauses

A defining relative clause adds essential information about a noun, helping to define it. Without this clause, the sentence may lose important meaning.

Example 1:

We went to a beach (which / that) Ali had recommended to us. Here, the relative pronoun (which / that) refers to a beach. The subject of the relative clause is Ali.

Example 2:

I know a man who / that ran in the New York Marathon last year. In this sentence, the relative pronoun refers to a man. Since it serves as the subject, the pronoun cannot be omitted.

Relative pronouns are used to add information in defi ning relative clauses as follows:

adding information about things

adding information about people

For things: We use that (or omit the relative pronoun) in informal conversation. In formal contexts, which is preferred.

Decorating’s a job (that) I hate. (Informal: that or no pronoun; formal: which)

For people: In informal contexts, we often use that (or omit the pronoun), while who or whom are used more formally.

He’s the man (that) I met at Aisha’s party. (Informal: that or no pronoun; formal: who / whom)

Rare Usage of "Whom"

The pronoun whom is considered very formal and is rarely used in spoken English:

The boy whom Elena had shouted at smiled.
(Informal: that, no pronoun, or who)

We often use that after:

something, anything

Pronouns like all, little, much, none

Noun phrases with superlatives

Example:

These walls are all that remain of the city.
(Not: … which remain of the city.)

When that is the object of the clause, it can also be omitted:

She’s one of the kindest people (that) I know.
(Not: … one of the kindest people who I know.)

A non-defining relative clause provides additional, non-essential information.

It is set off by commas, and the sentence would still make sense without it.

Unlike in defining clauses, you must include a relative pronoun.

adding information about things

adding information about people

For people: We use who or whom. Although whom is formal, it can still be used in non-defining clauses.

Professor Johnson, who(m) I have long admired, is to visit the university next week.

For things: We typically use which as either subject or object. That can sometimes replace which, but some consider this incorrect in formal writing.

The Master’s course, which I took in 2001, is no longer taught.
(Or: … that I took …)

Try this exercise to test your grammar.

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