Relative Pronouns: Connecting the Pieces
Relative pronouns are the glue that connects clauses in a sentence. They introduce relative clauses, which provide extra information about a noun or pronoun in the main clause.
Here's a breakdown:
What they do:
* Introduce relative clauses: They act as the subject or object of the relative clause, linking it to the main clause.
* Refer to a noun or pronoun: They act as a substitute for a noun or pronoun that has already been mentioned in the main clause.
Common relative pronouns:
* Who: Refers to people.
* Whom: Refers to people, but is used as the object of a verb or preposition.
* Whose: Shows possession.
* Which: Refers to things or animals.
* That: Refers to people, things, or animals. It is often used in restrictive clauses (essential information).
Examples:
* The woman who lives next door is a doctor. ("Who" refers to "woman" and introduces the relative clause "who lives next door".)
* The book that I am reading is very interesting. ("That" refers to "book" and introduces the relative clause "that I am reading".)
* The dog, whose tail was wagging, ran towards me. ("Whose" refers to "dog" and introduces the relative clause "whose tail was wagging".)
Key points:
* Relative pronouns can be used to create both restrictive and non-restrictive clauses.
* They can act as the subject, object, or possessive of the relative clause.
* They help to create more complex and informative sentences.
Understanding relative pronouns is essential for comprehending and writing grammatically correct and complex sentences.