English Language Arts
Grade 6
15 min
Use relative pronouns: who, whom, whose, which, and that
Use relative pronouns: who, whom, whose, which, and that
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Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Identify relative pronouns (who, whom, whose, which, that) in sentences.
Distinguish between the appropriate uses of 'who' and 'whom' based on their grammatical function.
Correctly use 'whose' to show possession for people, animals, or things.
Apply 'which' and 'that' correctly to refer to things or animals, understanding their roles in restrictive and non-restrictive clauses.
Determine when to use commas with relative clauses introduced by 'which' or 'that'.
Construct complex sentences using relative pronouns to combine ideas clearly and add descriptive detail.
Explain how precise use of relative pronouns enhances clarity and coherence in argumentative writing and evidence citation....
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
Relative PronounA word that connects a clause (a group of words with a subject and verb) to a noun or pronoun, adding more information about it.The student *who* won the award smiled.
AntecedentThe noun or pronoun that a relative pronoun refers back to and provides more information about.The *student* who won the award smiled. ('Student' is the antecedent of 'who'.)
Relative ClauseA group of words that begins with a relative pronoun and contains a subject and a verb, functioning like an adjective to describe the antecedent.The student *who won the award* smiled.
Restrictive ClauseA relative clause that provides essential information needed to understand the sentence; it is NOT set off by commas. Often introduced by 'that'.The book *that...
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Key Rules & Conventions
Rule for Who vs. Whom
Use 'who' when it is the subject of a verb in its clause. Use 'whom' when it is the object of a verb or a preposition in its clause.
To decide, try replacing the relative pronoun with 'he/she' (for 'who') or 'him/her' (for 'whom'). If 'he/she' fits, use 'who'. If 'him/her' fits, use 'whom'.
Rule for Whose (Possession)
Use 'whose' to show possession or ownership, referring to people, animals, or things.
'Whose' indicates that something belongs to the antecedent. It's like saying 'the book of the student' or 'the student's book'.
Rule for Which vs. That
Use 'that' for restrictive clauses (ess...
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Challenging
What is the primary function of a non-restrictive clause, such as the one in this sentence? 'Dr. Evans, who is a leading expert on the topic, agrees with my conclusion.'
A.To add extra, non-essential information that enhances the reader's understanding or establishes credibility.
B.To identify which Dr. Evans is being discussed out of many possible people with that name.
C.To act as the main subject of the sentence, replacing 'Dr. Evans'.
D.To show that Dr. Evans owns the conclusion.
Challenging
How does changing the punctuation and pronoun in the sentence below alter its core meaning?
Original: 'The reason that is most important is the final one.'
Revised: 'The reason, which is most important, is the final one.'
A.The meaning does not change; it is only a style preference.
B.The original implies there are several reasons and identifies the most important one. The revised version implies there is only one reason, which also happens to be the most important.
C.The original is informal, while the revised version is formal.
D.The original refers to a thing, while the revised version refers to a person.
Challenging
Combine the following two sentences into one complex sentence using the relative pronoun 'whom'.
'The expert is a respected historian. The committee consulted the expert.'
A.The expert, who the committee consulted, is a respected historian.
B.The expert that the committee consulted is a respected historian.
C.The expert, whom the committee consulted, is a respected historian.
D.The expert, whose knowledge was consulted, is a respected historian.
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