RELATIVE

PRONOUNS

WHAT

ARE

A relative pronoun is a pronoun that introduces a relative clause. It is called a "relative" pronoun because it "relates" to the word that its relative clause modifies. 

WHO

Refers to people (as a subject)“The person who called me is my boss.”

a) Relates to "The person", which "who phoned me last night" modifiesb) Introduces the relative clause "who phoned me last night"

WHOM

Refers to people (as an object)

“The person whom I phoned last night is my teacher.”“World cup: for whom?”

WHOSE

For possession

“The police are looking for the car whose driver was masked.”

“The police are looking for the car of which the driver was masked.”

WHICH

Used for things

“The car which I drive is old.”

THAT

Can be used for anything but it’s unformal. “Who” and “Wich” are preferable.

Sometimes it is better to use “that”, but only when there’s nothing better to use.

The car that hit me was yellow.