Relative Pronoun Explained: Definition, Types And Examples

In the world of grammar relative pronouns have a very significant role to play where they connect different ideas and make the sentence more clear and nuanced. These pronouns help in the introduction of relative clauses that add extra information about the noun. The concept of relative pronouns is very interesting but to understand it better and in detail, you have to refer to the full blog. This blog  is curated with all the essential information and details to help you understand relative pronouns in detail and make your basics clear. You will understand here relative pronoun definition, some common relative pronouns, its different types and relative pronoun examples also. All this information will help you master its concept.

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What is a Relative Pronoun?

A pronoun that connects a clause or phrase to a noun or pronoun is known as a relative pronoun. This pronoun gives more information about the noun. The most commonly used relative pronouns are “who,” “whom,” “whose,” “that,” and “which.” For example, in the sentence “The boy who is singing is my brother,” “who” connects the additional information about the boy to the main idea.  “Who” refers specifically to people, while “which” is used for things or animals. “Whom” is used for the object of a verb or preposition, though it’s less common in everyday speech. “Whose” indicates possession, as in “The girl whose purse is lost needs help.” The most important quality of relative pronouns is it helps make sentences clearer and more detailed by linking ideas or thoughts together.

 

वो pronoun जो किसी phrase या clause को किसी noun या pronoun के साथ जोड़ते हैं, उन्हें relative pronoun कहते हैं। “Who,” “whom,” “whose,” “that,” और “which” वो पांच ऐसे relative pronoun हैं जिनका इस्तेमाल अक्सर किया जाता है। इस pronoun की सबसे खास बात ये है कि ये वाक्य को साफ़ बनाते हैं और किसी भी idea को बेहतर तरीके से सामने रखते हैं। 

 

Definition of Relative Pronoun

A relative pronoun is a word that brings a dependent clause, and connects it to a noun or pronoun in the main clause. 

 

किसी clause को noun और pronoun से जोड़कर वाक्य को और साफ़ बनाने वाले pronoun को relative pronoun कहते हैं। 

 

This connection not only specifies or clarifies the noun but also enhances the sentence by adding necessary details. Some common relative pronouns are “who,” “whom,” “whose,” “that,” and “which.” By using relative pronouns, we can create more complex and informative sentences, making the ideas smooth and also enhancing the reader’s understanding.

 

Different Types of Relative Pronouns

Relative pronouns connect clauses and provide more information about nouns. Here are the main types of relative pronouns:

 

Who: This pronoun is used for people. It can be the subject of the clause. 

इस pronoun को लोगों के लिए इस्तेमाल किया जाता है और इसे clause में subject की तरह भी इस्तेमाल कर सकते हैं। 

Example: The teacher who loves science is helpful.

Here, “who” tells us more about the teacher.

 

Whom: This pronoun is also for people, but it’s used as the object of a verb or preposition. 

इस pronoun का भी इस्तेमाल लोगों के लिए किया जाता है लेकिन ये verb या preposition के object के रूप में भी इस्तेमाल किया जाता है। 

Example: The woman whom you met is my mother.

In this case, “whom” refers to the man being talked about.

 

Whose: This pronoun shows possession and can refer to people or things. 

ये किसी अपनी चीज़ के बारे में बताने के लिए इस्तेमाल किया जाता है और ये लोगों और चीज़ों दोनों के लिए इस्तेमाल होता है। 

Example: The girl whose dog is missing is sad.

Here, “whose” indicates that the dog belongs to the girl.

 

That: This pronoun can refer to people, animals, or things. It’s often used in restrictive clauses, which give essential information. 

ये pronoun लोगों, जानवरों और चीज़ों के लिए इस्तेमाल किया जाता है और साथ ही ये एक restrictive clause की तरह इस्तेमाल होता है जो कोई खास जानकारी देता है। 

Example: The movie that we watched was exciting.

“That” tells us specifically which movie.

 

Which: This pronoun is used for animals or things and is typically used for clauses, which add extra information that isn’t essential. 

इसका इस्तेमाल clause में इस्तेमाल होने वाले जानवर या चीज़ों के लिए किया जाता है जो ऐसी जानकारी देते हैं जो ज़रूरी नहीं होती हैं। 

Example: The car, which is red, belongs to my brother.

Here, the information about the car being red is extra.

 

Difference Between Which vs That

Type of Clause:

 

That: Used in clauses that convey essential information.

ये उस clause में इस्तेमाल होता है जो कोई खास जानकारी दें। 

         Example: The book that you lent me was fascinating.

         (Essential for identifying which book is being discussed.)

 

Which: Used in clauses that give additional information which is not essential).

ये उस clause में इस्तेमाल होता है जो ऐसी जानकारी दें जिनकी कोई खास ज़रूरत न हो। 

            Example: The book, which I finished yesterday, was fascinating.

            (Provides extra context; not essential for understanding.)

 

Usage in Formal Writing

That: Preferred in formal writing for clauses that provide information that is essential.

इसका इस्तेमाल formal चीज़ें लिखने में किया जाता है। 

         Example: The car that is parked outside belongs to my sister.

 

Which: More common in informal contexts; used for clauses that provide non-essential information.

इसका इस्तेमाल ज़्यादातर informal चीज़ों के लिए किया जाता है। 

            Example: The car, which is parked outside, is very new.

 

General Preference

That: Versatile; can refer to people, animals, or things.

इसका इस्तेमाल लोगों, जानवरों और चीज़ों के लिए किया जाता है। 

         Example: The student that won the competition is very talented.

 

Which: Typically used for things or animals; best in non-restrictive clauses.

ये चीज़ों और जानवरों के लिए इस्तेमाल किया जाता है लेकिन उन clauses के लिए नहीं जो ऐसी जानकारी दें जिनकी ज़रूरत न हो। 

            Example: The dog, which is very friendly, loves to play.

 

Use “that” for essential (restrictive) information without commas, whereas use “which” for non-essential (non-restrictive) information, always with commas.

 

Difference Between Who vs Whom

Function in a Sentence:

Who: Used as the subject of a relative clause.

इसका इस्तेमाल relative clause के subject के तौर पर किया जाता है। 

         Example: The artist who painted this mural is famous.

         (Here, “who” refers to “the artist,” who is performing the action of painting.)

 

Whom: Used as the object of a verb or preposition in a relative clause.

ये relative clause में verb और preposition के object के तौर पर इस्तेमाल होता है। 

            Example: The person whom you spoke to is my friend.

            (Here, “whom” refers to “the person,” who is receiving the action of being spoken to.)

 

Formality

Who: Commonly used in both spoken and written English and considered less formal.

ये informal तरीके से इस्तेमाल होता है। 

          Example: She is the one who helped me with my project.

 

Whom: More formal and often used in written English; can sound old-fashioned in conversation.

ये formal तरीके से इस्तेमाल होता है। 

            Example: The teacher whom the students admire is retiring.

 

Identification

Who: Identifies a person performing an action or being described.

ये उस इंसान के बारे में बताता है जिसके बारे में वाक्य में कुछ कहा गया है। 

         Example: The scientist who discovered the cure won a prize.

 

Whom: Identifies a person affected by an action or receiving an action.

 ये उस इंसान के बारे में बताता है जिसपर किसी action का असर पड़ रहा है। 

            Example: The researcher whom I consulted provided valuable insights.

 

Use “who” in relative clauses when the pronoun is the subject of the clause, whereas use “whom” in relative clauses when the pronoun is the object of the clause.

 

Difference Between Who vs That

Reference:

Who: Used exclusively for people.

इसका इस्तेमाल सिर्फ लोगों के लिए किया जाता है। 

         Example: The musician who played at the concert is amazing.

         (Here, “who” refers to “the musician.”)

 

That: Used for people, animals, or things.

इसका इस्तेमाल लोग, जानवर और चीज़ों के लिए किया जाता है। 

         Example: The book that you gave me is fascinating.

         (Here, “that” refers to “the book.”)

 

Type of Clause

Who: Generally found in both restrictive and nonrestrictive clauses, but more common in restrictive clauses.

इसका इस्तेमाल restrictive और nonrestrictive clause दोनों के लिए किया जाता है लेकिन ज़्यादातर restrictive clause के लिए। 

         Example: The athlete who trains hard will succeed.

         (Restrictive clause providing essential information.)

 

That: Primarily used in restrictive clauses, which are essential for identifying the noun.

इसका इस्तेमाल restrictive clauses में किया जाता है जिससे हमें noun का पता चलता है। 

         Example: The car that is parked outside belongs to my brother.

         (Essential information about the car.)

 

Formality

Who: Can be seen as slightly more formal or proper when discussing people.

 इसका इस्तेमाल formal तरीके से किया जाता है। 

         Example: The author who wrote the novel will be at the signing.

 

That: More informal and versatile, often used in everyday language.

इसका इस्तेमाल informal तरीके से रोज़मर्रा की ज़िन्दगी के लिए किया जाता है। 

         Example: The show that starts at 8 PM is sold out.

 

Non-Restrictive Usage

Who: Can be used in non-restrictive clauses and is typically set off by commas.

इसका इस्तेमाल non-restrictive clauses के लिए किया जाता है और इसमें comma का इस्तेमाल होता है। 

         Example: My brother, who lives in Canada, is visiting.

 

That: Not used in non-restrictive clauses; it only introduces restrictive clauses.

इसका इस्तेमाल restrictive clauses के लिए किया जाता है। 

         Example: The cake that is on the table is chocolate. (No commas used.)

 

Use “who” when referring specifically to people, whereas use “that” for people, animals, or things, primarily in restrictive clauses.

 

What is a Relative Clause?

A relative clause is a group of words that includes a relative pronoun and provides additional information about a noun or pronoun in a sentence. It helps to specify, clarify, or describe the noun it modifies. Relative clauses can be restrictive (essential to the meaning) or non-restrictive (additional information).

Relative clause वो clause होता है जिसमें relative pronoun होता है और वाक्य में noun और pronoun के बारे में और ज़्यादा जानकारी देता है। इसका दो प्रकार होते हैं। 

 

Types of Relative Clauses

Restrictive Relative Clauses: These clauses provide essential information about the noun. Without them, the meaning of the sentence would change.

ये noun के बारे में ज़रूरी जानकारी देते हैं और इनके बिना वाक्य का मतलब बदल सकता है। 

Example: The book that I borrowed was fascinating.

Here, “that I borrowed” specifies which book is being talked about.

 

Non-Restrictive Relative Clauses: These clauses add extra information but can be removed without changing the main meaning of the sentence. They are usually set off by commas.

ये noun के बारे में extra जानकारी देते हैं और इनके बिना वाकय का मतलब नहीं बदलता है।  इन्हें अक्सर commas से अलग किया जाता है। 

Example: My brother, who lives in New York, is visiting.

The clause “who lives in New York” gives extra information about the brother but isn’t essential to the main idea.

 

Difference Between Relative Pronoun and Relative Clause

Relative Pronoun: A relative pronoun is a word that introduces a relative clause. It connects the clause to a noun or pronoun in the main part of the sentence. Examples of relative pronouns include “who,” “whom,” “whose,” “that,” and “which.” For instance, in the sentence “The boy who won the race is my friend,” “who” is the relative pronoun.

 

Relative Clause: A relative clause is a group of words that includes a relative pronoun and gives more information about a noun or pronoun. It usually comes right after the noun it describes. In the previous example, “who won the race” is the relative clause because it provides additional details about “the boy.”

 

The relative pronoun introduces the clause, while the relative clause provides extra information about a noun.

Relative Pronoun clause को introduce करता है और इसे main clause को किसी noun या pronoun से जोड़ता है। वहीं दूसरी तरफ relative clause में noun या pronoun के बारे में और ज़्यादा जानकारी देता है। 

 

Difference Between Relative and Interrogative Pronouns

Function:

Relative Pronouns: Connect a clause to a noun, providing additional information.

                                  ये clause को noun से जोड़ता है और उसके साथ ज़्यादा जानकारी भी देता है। 

                               Example: The teacher who teaches math is very patient.

 

Interrogative Pronouns: Used to ask questions.

                                         इसका इस्तेमाल सवाल पूछने के लिए होता है। 

                                       Example: Who is your favourite teacher?

 

Usage

Relative Pronouns: Found in declarative sentences.

                                  इसका इस्तेमाल सामान्य वाक्य में होता है। 

                                Example: The book that you lent me was great.

 

Interrogative Pronouns: Found in interrogative sentences.

                                         इसका इस्तेमाल उन वाक्यों में होता है जिनमें हम सवाल पूछते हैं। 

               Example: What book are you reading?

 

Role in Sentence

Relative Pronouns: Modify a noun or pronoun.

                                  ये noun या pronoun को बदल देता है। 

                               Example: The girl whose dog is missing is sad.

 

Interrogative Pronouns: Initiate a question.

                                          ये सवाल पूछता है। 

               Example: Whose dog is this?

 

Nature of Information

Relative Pronouns: Provide clarifying or descriptive details.

                                  इसका इस्तेमाल किसी चीज़ की और जानकारी देने के लिए किया जाता है। 

                                Example: The car which is parked outside is mine.

 

Interrogative Pronouns: Seek information.

                                          इसका इस्तेमाल जानकारी लेने के लिए किया जाता है। 

               Example: Which car do you prefer?

 

Type of Clause

Relative Pronouns: Introduce relative clauses.

                                 ये relative clauses को वाक्य में लेकर आता है। 

       Example: The athlete who won the race is from our school.

Interrogative Pronouns: Do not introduce clauses but rather form questions.

                                          ये कोई clause नहीं लेकर आते बल्कि सवाल पूछते हैं। 

               Example: Whom did you see at the event?

 

Relative Pronouns Examples

Here are examples of each relative pronoun in sentences:

 

Who

The artist who painted this mural is very talented.
(Here, “who” connects the clause to “the artist.”)

 

Whom

The teacher whom I admire is retiring.
(In this case, “whom” refers to the object of the verb “admire.”)

 

Whose

The child whose toy is broken is upset.
(“Whose” shows that the toy belongs to the child.)

 

That

The book that you lent me was fascinating.
(“That” connects the clause to “the book.”)

 

Which

The car, which is parked outside, belongs to my neighbour.
(Here, “which” provides extra information about “the car.”)

 

Examples of Relative Pronouns in Sentences

 

  1. The doctor who treated me was very kind.
  2. She is the author whom everyone admires.
  3. The boy whose bike was stolen is my neighbour.
  4. The movie that we watched last night was thrilling.
  5. I have a cat, which loves to play with strings.
  6. The athletes who train hard often succeed.
  7. This is the professor whom I told you about.
  8. I met a woman whose brother lives in Paris.
  9. The flowers that bloom in spring are beautiful.
  10. The book, which was published last year, has received great reviews.

 

Try and Learn: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences below by filling in the blanks with the correct relative pronoun: who, whom, whose, that, or which.

  1. The teacher _____ taught me English is retiring.
  2. I have a friend _____ travels around the world.
  3. The dog _____ barked all night, kept me awake.
  4. This is the artist _____ painting won an award.
  5. The movie _____ we watched was really interesting.
  6. The girl _____ bike was stolen is my classmate.
  7. I met a man _____ works at the library.
  8. The book _____ you lent me was great.
  9. She is the one _____ I trust the most.
  10. The car, _____ is red, belongs to my sister.

 

Answers

 

Who

Who

That

Whose

That

Whose

Who

That

Whom

Which

 

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Relative Pronoun FAQs

  1. What is a relative pronoun?

A relative pronoun is a word that connects a clause to a noun or pronoun, providing more information about it. Common examples include “who,” “whom,” “whose,” “that,” and “which.”

 

  1. What is the difference between “who” and “whom”?

“Who” is used as the subject of a verb, while “whom” is used as the object of a verb or preposition. For example, “Who is coming to dinner?” vs. “To whom should I address the letter?”

 

  1. When do I use “whose”?

“Whose” indicates possession. It is used to show that something belongs to someone. For example, “The girl whose book is missing is looking for it.”

 

  1. Can I use “that” for people?

Yes, “that” can refer to people, animals, or things, but it is often used in restrictive clauses. For example, “The teacher that helped me was very kind.”

 

  1. What is a restrictive clause?

A restrictive clause provides essential information about the noun it modifies. It cannot be removed without changing the meaning of the sentence. For example, “The car that is parked outside is mine.”

 

  1. What is a non-restrictive clause?

A non-restrictive clause adds extra information that can be removed without changing the main meaning of the sentence. It is usually set off by commas. For example, “My brother, who lives in New York, is visiting.”

 

  1. Can I use “which” for people?

“Which” is typically used for animals or things, not people. For example, “The book, which is on the table, is mine.”

 

  1. Is it correct to say “the person who” or “the person that”?

Both “who” and “that” can be used, but “who” is preferred when referring to people in formal writing.

 

  1. Can a relative pronoun start a question?

No, relative pronouns are used to introduce relative clauses and cannot start a question. Questions typically use interrogative pronouns like “who,” “what,” or “where.”

 

  1. How can I practice using relative pronouns?

You can practice by writing sentences using relative pronouns, completing fill-in-the-blank exercises, or identifying relative clauses in reading materials.

 

Conclusion

We hope this blog has become a perfect guide for you to understand relative pronouns. The examples given in the blog help to get a clear understanding of the concept and also sharpen your grammar. This will help you to learn spoken English more efficiently. If you still struggle with your English speaking skills and want to learn English online, then you should join an online spoken English course to learn better. 

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