PRONOUN (PART -11)

                       

  Relative Pronouns

Words that are used to connect a clause or a phrase to a noun or pronoun, is called a relative pronoun.

Examples

1. Saif is my nephew. He is very intelligent.

2. Here is a book. I purchased the book yesterday.

Now join the above sentences with the help of relative pronouns.

1. Saif is my nephew who is very intelligent.

2. Here is a book that I bought yesterday.

Subjective case                     Objective case

Who                                       Whom (for persons)

Which                                   which (for things & animals)

That                                        That (for persons, things & animals)

What                                      What (for things)

Rule 1. The antecedent of a relative pronoun should be placed immediately before the  relative pronoun.

Examples

1. John is working in a company who is my bosom friend. (incorrect)

2. John is my bosom friend who is working in a company. (correct)

3. John who is working in a company, is my bosom friend. (correct)

4. A girl was walking on the road who was run down by a car. (incorrect)

5. A girl who was walking on the road, was run down by a car. (correct)

Note:-

 A word that is used before a relative pronoun in the form of a noun or pronoun is called an antecedent.

Rule 2. Where to use  “who and whom”?

Examples

1. This is the boy whom I came across on the road yesterday, is preparing for SSC and bank. (use- who)

2. This is the girl whom I met at the railway station is, a very good singer. (use- who)

3. This is the man who I talked over the phone some days ago. (use- whom)

4. These are the students who I have taught English. (use- whom)

Rule 3. Don’t use conjunction (but, and) before relative pronoun ‘who’.

Examples

1. Ragni is a very intelligent girl but who has landed a job. (drop- but)

2. This is the boy and who is impeding the process of our project. (drop- and)

Rule 4. The verb of a relative pronoun is used according to its antecedent.

1. There are twenty five boys who has been selected. (use- have)

2. It is I who is singing a song. (use- am)

3. Kalidas is one of the poets who is famous all over the world. (use- are)

4. Shakespeare is only one of the writers who have written 154 sonnets. (use- has)

Note:-

Meaning of the last sentence- there are many writers but only Shakespeare has written 154 sonnets.

Rule 5. The antecedent of a relative pronoun should not be in the possessive case.

Examples

1. People like reading Shakespeare’s novel who is a great novelist of London. (incorrect)

2. People like reading the novel of Shakespeare who is a great novelist of London. (correct)

1. People like reading Shakespeare’s novel which is very interesting. (correct)

Rule 6. In the following cases we use relative pronoun only that (not who, which, whom)

1. After the superlative degree of an adjective.

Examples

1. He was the most eloquent speaker whom I ever heard. (use- that)

2. The wisest man who ever lived made mistakes. (use- that)

2. After these words. 

All, the same, none, nothing, the only, any, anybody, nobody, the little, the few.

Examples

1. All which glitters is not gold. (use- that)

2. Man is the only animal who can talk. (use- that)

3. The little knowledge which you have in the field of English grammar is enough to crack any exam. (use- that)

4. She gave me everything which she had. (use- that)

Note:-

 Both who and that can be used for all if all comes for persons.

Examples

1. All who/that are preparing for competitive exams can read this book. (Both are correct)

3. After the interrogative pronoun. (who, what)

Examples

1. What is in the world which is impossible for God? (use- that)

2. Who that met him did not compliment him on his good dress sense?

4. After a pair of antecedents, one denoting a person and the other denoting a thing or animal.

Examples

1. The boy and his dog that were going for walk did not come back home.( Correct)

Rule 7. Which is generally used for things or animals.

Examples

1. This is the house which I bought yesterday.

2. This is the dog which is mine.

Note

 Which can also be used for persons in the case of choice.

Examples

1. Only I know which of the two boys is more intelligent.

2. She knows which of her children is hungry.

Rule 8. ‘Whose and which of’ are used to show possession.

Examples

1. This is the boy whose name is Hatim.

2. This is the car whose colour is red.

3. A building whose windows are painted, looks beautiful.

4. A building of which windows are painted, looks beautiful.

   Compound Relative Pronoun

We use ‘ever’ or ‘soever’ in the relative pronoun to make compound relative pronoun.

Whoever, whosoever, 

whomever, whomsoever, 

whichever, whichsoever,

 

whatever, whatsoever.

Rule 1. Don’t use any antecedent before compound relative pronoun.

Examples

1. She bought the things whatever she liked. (drop- the things)

2. I shall invite everyone whomever I want. (drop- everyone)

3. Whoever wants can come to my birthday party. (Correct)

      Interrogative Pronoun

Words that are used to ask question are called relative pronoun.

Who, whom, what, which, whose.

Rule 1. Who is used to find out subject.

Example

1. Who has stolen my pen?

Rule 2. Whom is used to find out object.

1. Whom did you met yesterday?

Rule 3. Whose is used to find out owner.

Example

1. Whose is this book?

Rule 4. Which is used for choice or selection.

Examples

1. Which is your car?

2. Which of these cars do you like most?

Rule 5. What is used for things only.

Examples

1. What do you want?

2. What is your name?

Note:-

 In such sentences as what are you? What is she? The word what does not refer to person but to his profession or employment.