Relative pronouns
Who, which, that, whose, where and when: choosing the right one and never mixing up whose.
The answer
A relative pronoun, such as who, which, that or whose, starts a relative clause and points back to the noun it describes.
Examples
The girl who sits next to me is called Aisha.
We found the key which we had lost.
I need a pen that works.
The man whose car broke down called for help.
Do you remember the day when we saw the seals?
How to spot it
- It comes straight after a noun and begins a clause about that noun.
- Who is for people, which for things, that for either, and whose for belonging.
- Where and when can start relative clauses about places and times too.
The common mistake
Confusing whose and who’s.
Whose shows belonging (the girl whose bag is red). Who’s is short for who is or who has (who’s coming?).
When it is taught
- First met
- Year 5
- On the pupil word list
- Year 5, as “relative pronoun”
Year 5, in the same terminology row as relative clause.
Try a question
Complete the sentence with a relative pronoun.
The children ___ won the quiz got a prize.
Show the answer
Answer: who (that is also correct)
The word refers back to children, who are people, so who fits best.
Related terms
- Practise the 11+ skill: Select a pronoun form
More grammar terms
Questions parents ask
Is that always a relative pronoun?
No. It is a relative pronoun when it starts a relative clause (the pen that works). It can also be a determiner (that pen) or a pronoun (I like that).
Are where and when relative pronouns?
Appendix 2 lists relative clauses beginning with who, which, where, when, whose and that, so schools teach all six together. Some grammar books call where and when relative adverbs.
What is an omitted relative pronoun?
One that has been left out because the sentence works without it: the book I read means the book that I read.
Grammar turns up in 11+ English too
Many 11+ English papers include grammar and punctuation questions alongside comprehension. The free diagnostic checks maths, English and both kinds of reasoning, and shows what to practise next. No card is required.