Relative pronouns in relative clauses
|
| who |
to refer to people (and animals when we want to give them a personality) |
There are a lot of people who hate having injections. |
| which |
to refer to things and concepts (and animals when we don't want to give them a personality) |
This is the prescription which the doctor gave me. |
| whom |
a formal word for who; as an object; must be used directly after a preposition |
That's the consultant with whom I spoke. |
| that |
a more informal word for who, which, when, where, why; only used in defining relative clauses |
This is the prescription that the doctor gave me. |
| when |
to refer to time; = in/on/etc which |
I'll never forget the day when I broke my finger. |
| where |
to refer to place or situation; = in/at/etc which |
Harley Street, where she was born, is famous for its clinics. |
| why |
often after the word reason; = the reason for which; only used in defining relative clauses |
And that's (the reason) why I wanted to become a vet. |
| whose |
the possessive of who and which; can also come after a preposition |
There are several kids in my class whose parents are doctors. |
| what |
= the thing(s) which; only used in defining relative clauses |
What I don't understand is why she didn't take her pills. |
