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Remember the following uses of relative pronouns:
- Who, whom, and whose refer only to people.
- Which refers to things.
- That refers to people or things.
The following examples show how a relative pronoun may be used to connect two
sentences and to connect details to the subject.
Sentence 1: Gossip is a form of communication.
Sentence 2: It is a waste of time and energy.
Combination of 1 and 2: Gossip is a form of communication that is a waste of time
and energy.
Notice how the relative pronoun that replaces the subject it in sentence 2.
That is called a relative pronoun because it connects the details (is a waste of time and
energy) to the subject (Gossip).
Sentence 1: My grandmother is eighty years old.
Sentence 2: She collects seashells.
Combination of 1 and 2: My grandmother, who is eighty years old, collects seashells.
Notice how the relative pronoun who replaces the subject she in sentence 2.
Who is called a relative pronoun because it connects the details (is eighty years old) to
the subject (My grandmother).
Exercise 3
On a separate sheet of paper, complete the following sentences by selecting the correct
relative pronoun.
- He showed me a photo (who, that) upset me.
- Soccer is a fast moving game (who, that) has many fans worldwide.
- Juan is a man (which, who) has high standards for everything.
- Jamaica is a beautiful country (that, who) I would like to visit next year.
- My mother only eats bananas (who, that) are green.
Exercise 4
On a separate sheet of paper, combine the two sentences into one sentence using a
relative pronoun.