English Language Arts
Grade 11
15 min
Use relative pronouns: who, whom, whose, which, and that
Use relative pronouns: who, whom, whose, which, and that
Tutorial Preview
1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Differentiate between the subjective case (who) and objective case (whom) in complex sentences.
Correctly apply the possessive relative pronoun (whose) for both people and inanimate objects.
Distinguish between restrictive (essential) and non-restrictive (non-essential) clauses, using 'that' and 'which' appropriately.
Integrate relative clauses to synthesize information from multiple sources and construct sophisticated sentences in analytical essays.
Identify and correct common errors in relative pronoun usage within their own writing and the writing of others.
Analyze how authors use relative clauses to control sentence rhythm, provide critical characterization, or add descriptive detail.
How can a single word like 'who' or...
2
Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
Relative PronounA word that introduces a dependent (subordinate) clause and connects it to an independent clause. It refers to a noun, known as the antecedent, in the main clause.In 'The author *who* wrote 'The Great Gatsby' is F. Scott Fitzgerald,' the relative pronoun 'who' introduces the clause 'who wrote The Great Gatsby' and connects it to 'The author'.
AntecedentThe noun or pronoun to which a pronoun (in this case, a relative pronoun) refers.In 'Fitzgerald is the author *whom* critics often praise,' the antecedent of 'whom' is 'author'.
Relative Clause (Adjective Clause)A dependent clause that begins with a relative pronoun and functions as an adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun....
3
Key Rules & Conventions
People vs. Things
Use 'who' and 'whom' for people. Use 'which' and 'that' for animals and things. Use 'whose' for possession for all of them.
This is the fundamental sorting mechanism. 'Who' and 'whom' refer exclusively to human antecedents. 'Which' and 'that' refer to non-human antecedents. 'Whose' is the versatile possessive form.
The Case Test: Who vs. Whom
'Who' is a subject (performs the action). 'Whom' is an object (receives the action). Test: Isolate the relative clause and substitute 'he/she' or 'him/her'. If 'he/she' fits, use 'who'. If 'him/her' fits, use 'whom'.
This is the most reliable...
4 more steps in this tutorial
Sign up free to access the complete tutorial with worked examples and practice.
Sign Up Free to ContinueSample Practice Questions
Challenging
You are writing a synthesis essay on the American Dream. Combine the information from these two 'sources' into one sophisticated, grammatically correct sentence using a relative clause.
Source 1: Arthur Miller's play 'Death of a Salesman' critiques the American Dream.
Source 2: The play's protagonist is Willy Loman.
A.Arthur Miller's play 'Death of a Salesman', whose protagonist is Willy Loman, critiques the American Dream.
B.Arthur Miller's play 'Death of a Salesman', which its protagonist is Willy Loman, critiques the American Dream.
C.Arthur Miller's play 'Death of a Salesman' that has Willy Loman as a protagonist critiques the American Dream.
D.Arthur Miller's play 'Death of a Salesman', who's protagonist is Willy Loman, critiques the American Dream.
Challenging
Consider this sentence from an analytical essay: 'Gatsby's obsessive pursuit of Daisy ultimately leads to his downfall, which demonstrates the illusory nature of the American Dream.' According to the 'Common Pitfalls' section, how should this sentence be revised for maximum clarity and precision?
A.The sentence is perfect as is and requires no revision.
B.Change 'which' to 'that' to make the clause restrictive.
C.Gatsby's obsessive pursuit of Daisy, which ultimately leads to his downfall, demonstrates the illusory nature of the American Dream.
D.The fact that Gatsby's obsessive pursuit of Daisy leads to his downfall demonstrates the illusory nature of the American Dream.
Challenging
In Herman Melville's 'Bartleby, the Scrivener,' the narrator describes a character as 'a man of whom nothing is known.' What is the precise grammatical and stylistic function of using the formal 'of whom' structure here?
A.It is a grammatical error; it should be 'a man who nothing is known about.'
B.It creates a tone of formal, almost legalistic, distance and emphasizes the profound mystery surrounding the man, making 'nothing' the key concept.
C.It functions as a restrictive clause, implying there are other men about whom something is known.
D.It serves to make the sentence intentionally confusing and archaic, reflecting the narrator's own confusion.
Want to practice and check your answers?
Sign up to access all questions with instant feedback, explanations, and progress tracking.
Start Practicing FreeMore from Pronouns
English Language Arts for other grades
Frequently asked questions
What grade level is "Use relative pronouns: who, whom, whose, which, and that"?
Use relative pronouns: who, whom, whose, which, and that is a Grade 11 English Language Arts lesson on ExcelOS.
What will I learn in Use relative pronouns: who, whom, whose, which, and that?
Use relative pronouns: who, whom, whose, which, and that
Is "Use relative pronouns: who, whom, whose, which, and that" free to practice?
Yes. You can read the tutorial preview for free, and signing up for a free ExcelOS account unlocks the full tutorial and all practice questions with instant feedback.
How many practice questions are included with Use relative pronouns: who, whom, whose, which, and that?
This lesson includes 25 practice questions across multiple difficulty levels, each with instant feedback and explanations.