Grammar Focus - Relative Pronouns

1. Subjective case of relative pronouns

► When the antecedent is a person, use who, that, or whoever.
a) That's the boy who came to our party last week.
b) They are giving a free mug to whoever comes to the store today

► When the antecedent is an animal or object, use which or that.
a) The dog, which took my shoes, belongs to Amy.
b) The pen that he wrote his novel with is in the museum.
c) The dog which took my shoes belongs to Amy. (✘)
d) The pen, that he wrote his novel with, is in the museum. (✘)
Note: The number of the verb in a relative clause is decided by its antecedent.
a) I saw a boy who was running in the park.
b) Don likes some of the fish that are in the tank.

2. Possessive case of relative pronouns

► When the antecedent is a person, animal, or object, use whose.
a) I know the man whose car was stolen.
b) Maria was walking a dog whose ears were very long.

3. Objective case of relative pronouns

► When the antecedent is a person, use who(m).
a) She is the girl (who) I met in the park.
b) She is the girl to whom I gave a free ticket.

► When the antecedent is an animal or an object, use which or that.
a) The hamster (that) I keep in my room is two years old now.

4. It is ~ that/who

a) It was my father who helped me with my homework yesterday.
b) It was yesterday that my father helped me with my homework.

5. Preposition + relative pronoun

a) This is the house in which I have lived for ten years.
b) That was the day on which I met her for the first time.
c) That is the reason for which I was late for the appointment.
d) This is the house in that I have lived for ten years. (✘)
Note: The relative pronoun "that" is not used with prepositions.