Relative PronounsWHO, WHICH and WHOSE

Definition: We use the relative pronouns to refer to a noun

mentioned before and of which we are adding more information. They are used to join two or more sentences and forming in that way what we call "relative sentences".

WHO is used when talking about people.* you can also use THAT

Ex: People who speak two languages are called bilingual.

* In this example, the relative "who" introduces the relative sentence "speak two languages" that

describes or gives more information about the noun "people".

WHICH is used to talk about animals, things or ideas.*You can also use THAT

Ex: The science fair, which lasted all day, ended with an awards ceremony.

Typically, which is the preferred relative pronoun for indicating that a relative clause is non-restrictive. Non-restrictive relative

clauses (also known as non-defining relative clauses) provide non-essential information about the antecedent in the main clause. The information is not crucial for understanding the sentence's

meaning correctly and can be omitted without affecting the sentence's meaning.

*Use THAT when the information is essential.

Whose is the only possessive relative pronoun.“WHOSE" can be used to talk about

both people and things.

Ex: There goes the man whose phone got stolen

Use WHO, WHICH or WHOSE to complete the sentences.

I talked to the girl ______ car had broken down in front of the shop.

I talked to the girl WHOSE car had broken down in front of the shop.

Mr. Richards, _____ is a taxi driver, lives on the corner

Mr. Richards, WHO is a taxi driver, lives on the corner

We often visit our aunt in Norwich _____ is in East Anglia.

We often visit our aunt in Norwich WHICH is in East Anglia.

This is the girl ___ comes from Spain.

This is the girl WHO comes from Spain.

That's Peter, the boy ___ has just arrived at the airport.

That's Peter, the boy WHO has just arrived at the airport.

Thank you very much for your e-mail _____ was very interesting.

Thank you very much for your e-mail WHICH was very interesting.

The man, _____ father is a professor, forgot his umbrella.

The man, WHOSE father is a professor, forgot his umbrella.

The children, ___ shouted in the street, are not from our school.

The children, WHO shouted in the street, are not from our school.

The car, _____ driver is a young man, is from Ireland.

The car, WHOSE driver is a young man, is from Ireland.

What did you do with the money _____ your mother lent

you?

What did you do with the money WHICH your mother lent

you?