Use relative pronouns: who and whom
Key Notes:
💎 A relative pronoun introduces a dependent (or relative) clause that describes a noun or pronoun.
💎 The relative pronouns who and whom give information about people.
💎 To figure out whether to use who or whom, restate the dependent clause with a personal pronoun. If the clause uses a subject pronoun (he, she, or they), use who. If the clause uses an object pronoun (him, her, or them), use whom.
- The woman who lives next door grows tomatoes in her garden.
- She lives next door.
- Peter, whom you met yesterday, has four younger brothers.
- You met him yesterday.
Learn with an example
1)Complete the sentence with the best relative pronoun.
I had several questions for the salesperson _____demonstrated the blender.
- The dependent clause gives information about a person. You can restate the dependent clause with the subject pronoun he, so use the relative pronoun who.
I had several questions for the salesperson who demonstrated the blender. - The dependent clause can be restated as ‘He demonstrated the blender.’
2)Complete the sentence with the best relative pronoun.
That’s the shop assistant __________I see every morning.
- The dependent clause gives information about a person. You can restate the dependent clause with the object pronoun him, so use the relative pronoun whom.
That’s the shop assistant whom I see every morning. - The dependent clause can be restated as ‘I see him every morning.’
3)Complete the sentence with the best relative pronoun.
Dorothy made an appointment with Dr. Hughes, ______several friends had recommended.
- The dependent clause gives information about a person. You can restate the dependent clause with the object pronoun her, so use the relative pronoun whom.
Dorothy made an appointment with Dr Hughes, whom several friends had recommended. - The dependent clause can be restated as ‘Several friends had recommended her.’
Let’s practice!🖋️
