Who vs. Whom vs. Which: Mastering Relative Pronouns

Who vs. Whom vs. Which: Mastering Relative Pronouns

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Understanding the correct usage of “who,” “whom,” and “which” is crucial for clear and grammatically accurate writing. These relative pronouns play a vital role in connecting clauses and providing essential information about nouns. Mastering their usage enhances the precision and sophistication of your writing, making it more effective and professional. This article provides a comprehensive guide to these pronouns, offering definitions, examples, and practice exercises. It is designed to benefit students, writers, and anyone seeking to improve their English grammar skills.

Whether you are preparing for an exam, writing a report, or simply aiming to communicate more effectively, this detailed exploration of “who,” “whom,” and “which” will equip you with the knowledge and confidence to use them correctly. Let’s dive in and unravel the intricacies of these essential grammatical tools.

Table of Contents

Definitions of Who, Whom, and Which

The words “who,” “whom,” and “which” are relative pronouns. They connect a dependent (or relative) clause to an independent clause. Understanding their functions is key to mastering their usage.

Who

“Who” is a relative pronoun that refers to people. It functions as the subject of a verb in a relative clause. Use “who” when the pronoun is performing the action in the clause.

Whom

“Whom” is also a relative pronoun that refers to people, but it functions as the object of a verb or a preposition in a relative clause. It is used when the person is receiving the action or is the object of a preposition. While less common in informal speech, “whom” maintains a crucial role in formal writing.

Which

“Which” is a relative pronoun that refers to things or animals. It can function as the subject or object in a relative clause. Importantly, “which” is typically used in nonrestrictive clauses, which provide additional, non-essential information. The use of “that” is more common in restrictive clauses. However, “which” can be used in restrictive clauses as well, especially in formal writing.

Structural Breakdown

The structure of sentences using “who,” “whom,” and “which” typically involves an independent clause followed by a relative clause introduced by the pronoun. The relative clause provides additional information about a noun (the antecedent) in the independent clause. The position of the relative clause is crucial for clarity.

The basic structure is: Independent Clause + Relative Pronoun + Relative Clause. The relative clause acts as an adjective, modifying the noun it refers to.

For example:

  • The teacher who gave the lecture is an expert in the field. (Who is the subject of “gave.”)
  • The student whom the professor praised is very diligent. (Whom is the object of “praised.”)
  • The book which I borrowed from the library is very interesting. (Which is the object of “borrowed.”)

Types and Categories

Restrictive Clauses

Restrictive clauses (also called essential clauses) provide information that is necessary to identify the noun they modify. They are essential to the meaning of the sentence. Restrictive clauses are not set off by commas. “Who,” “whom,” and “that” are commonly used in restrictive clauses.

For instance:

  • The man who is wearing a hat is my brother. (Identifies which man.)
  • The book that I need is on the top shelf. (Identifies which book.)

Nonrestrictive Clauses

Nonrestrictive clauses (also called nonessential clauses) provide additional information about the noun they modify, but this information is not essential for identifying the noun. They are set off by commas. “Who,” “whom,” and “which” can be used in nonrestrictive clauses, but “that” is generally not used in nonrestrictive clauses.

For instance:

  • My mother, who is a doctor, is very busy. (Adds extra information about my mother.)
  • The Eiffel Tower, which is a famous landmark, attracts many tourists. (Adds extra information about the Eiffel Tower.)

Examples

Examples of Who

The following table provides examples of sentences using “who” as a relative pronoun. Notice how “who” acts as the subject of the verb in the relative clause. The table includes 30 examples for comprehensive understanding.

# Sentence
1 The person who called is my sister.
2 The students who studied hard passed the exam.
3 The doctor who treated me was very kind.
4 The artist who painted this picture is famous.
5 The singer who performed last night was amazing.
6 The author who wrote this book is very talented.
7 The teacher who teaches English is very helpful.
8 The chef who made this dish is a genius.
9 The athlete who won the race is very fast.
10 The scientist who discovered this is a pioneer.
11 My neighbor, who is a retired teacher, volunteers at the library.
12 The candidate who wins the election will face many challenges.
13 The employee who consistently exceeds expectations gets a bonus.
14 The volunteers who helped at the event were greatly appreciated.
15 The witness who testified in court provided crucial information.
16 The children who play in the park are very energetic.
17 The musicians who performed at the concert were outstanding.
18 The writers who contributed to the anthology are diverse.
19 The researchers who conducted the study are highly respected.
20 The programmers who developed the software are innovative.
21 The customer who complained received a full refund.
22 The patient who recovered quickly followed the doctor’s advice.
23 The traveler who explored the world shared amazing stories.
24 The inventor who created the device is now a millionaire.
25 The detective who solved the case received an award.
26 The gardener who planted the flowers has a beautiful garden.
27 The pilot who flew the plane is highly experienced.
28 The speaker who addressed the audience was very inspiring.
29 The builder who constructed the house used eco-friendly materials.
30 The referee who made the call was fair and impartial.
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Examples of Whom

The following table provides examples of sentences using “whom” as a relative pronoun. Note that “whom” functions as the object of a verb or preposition in the relative clause. The table includes 30 examples demonstrating various usages.

# Sentence
1 The person whom I saw was my friend.
2 The student whom the teacher praised is very bright.
3 The doctor whom I consulted is a specialist.
4 The artist whom everyone admires is very humble.
5 The singer whom the audience applauded was fantastic.
6 The author whom I interviewed is very insightful.
7 The teacher whom the students respect is very dedicated.
8 The chef whom the critics praised is very innovative.
9 The athlete whom the coach trained is very disciplined.
10 The scientist whom the university honored is a genius.
11 My boss, whom I respect greatly, is retiring next year.
12 The candidate whom the party nominated is very popular.
13 The employee whom the manager promoted is very hardworking.
14 The volunteers whom the organization thanked were very helpful.
15 The witness whom the lawyer questioned provided key details.
16 The children whom the nanny cared for were very well-behaved.
17 The musicians whom the conductor led were very talented.
18 The writers whom the editor selected were very promising.
19 The researchers whom the foundation funded are very ambitious.
20 The programmers whom the company hired are very skilled.
21 The customer to whom the product was sold was very satisfied.
22 The patient for whom the treatment was designed recovered fully.
23 The traveler about whom I read was very adventurous.
24 The inventor by whom the patent was filed is very famous.
25 The detective with whom I worked solved the mystery.
26 The gardener from whom I bought the plants is very knowledgeable.
27 The pilot by whom the plane was flown is highly regarded.
28 The speaker to whom the question was addressed answered thoughtfully.
29 The builder by whom the house was designed is very creative.
30 The referee by whom the game was officiated was unbiased.

Examples of Which

The following table provides examples of sentences using “which” as a relative pronoun. Note that “which” refers to things or animals and can act as either the subject or object in the relative clause. The table includes 30 examples showcasing diverse applications of “which”.

# Sentence
1 The car which I bought is very reliable.
2 The book which I read was very interesting.
3 The house which is on the hill is very beautiful.
4 The painting which hangs in the museum is famous.
5 The song which I heard on the radio was catchy.
6 The movie which I watched last night was thrilling.
7 The restaurant which serves Italian food is excellent.
8 The park which is near my house is very peaceful.
9 The computer which I use for work is very fast.
10 The phone which I have is the latest model.
11 The cat, which is sleeping on the sofa, is very lazy.
12 The project, which requires a lot of effort, is very important.
13 The solution, which we found after much searching, is very effective.
14 The problem, which seemed insurmountable, was eventually solved.
15 The idea, which came to me in a dream, is very innovative.
16 The game, which the children are playing, is very fun.
17 The event, which attracted a large crowd, was very successful.
18 The article, which I read online, was very informative.
19 The experiment, which yielded surprising results, was very significant.
20 The recipe, which I found in a cookbook, is very delicious.
21 The dog, which barked loudly, scared the mailman.
22 The plant, which bloomed beautifully, brightened the room.
23 The bridge, which was recently built, connects the two cities.
24 The museum, which houses ancient artifacts, is worth visiting.
25 The lake, which is surrounded by mountains, is very scenic.
26 The garden, which is full of flowers, attracts many bees.
27 The forest, which is home to many animals, is protected.
28 The island, which is a popular tourist destination, is very beautiful.
29 The city, which is known for its culture, is very vibrant.
30 The country, which has a rich history, is very fascinating.
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Mixed Examples

This table combines examples using “who,” “whom,” and “which” to illustrate their different functions within similar contexts. This comparative approach helps to solidify understanding. This table includes 20 examples.

# Sentence
1 The teacher who is giving the lecture is very knowledgeable.
2 The teacher whom the students admire is very dedicated.
3 The lecture, which is about history, is very informative.
4 The student who asked the question was very curious.
5 The student whom the professor called on answered correctly.
6 The assignment, which is due next week, is very challenging.
7 The doctor who treated my illness is very competent.
8 The doctor whom I consulted is a specialist.
9 The hospital, which is well-equipped, provides excellent care.
10 The artist who created this sculpture is very talented.
11 The artist whom the critics praised is very innovative.
12 The sculpture, which is made of bronze, is very impressive.
13 The author who wrote this novel is very popular.
14 The author whom I interviewed is very insightful.
15 The novel, which is a bestseller, is very engaging.
16 The chef who prepared the meal is very skilled.
17 The chef whom the guests applauded is very creative.
18 The dish, which is made with fresh ingredients, is very delicious.
19 The athlete who won the race is very fast.
20 The athlete whom the fans cheered for is very dedicated.

Usage Rules

Rules for Using Who

Rule 1: Use “who” when referring to people and when the pronoun is the subject of the verb in the relative clause.
Rule 2: “Who” is used in both restrictive and nonrestrictive clauses.

Example:

  • The woman who is speaking is the CEO. (Subject of “is speaking”)
  • My neighbor, who is a retired teacher, volunteers at the library. (Nonrestrictive clause)

Rules for Using Whom

Rule 1: Use “whom” when referring to people and when the pronoun is the object of the verb or a preposition in the relative clause.
Rule 2: In modern English, “whom” is becoming less common, and “who” is often used instead, especially in informal contexts. However, “whom” is still preferred in formal writing and when it follows a preposition.

Example:

  • The man whom I saw yesterday is my boss. (Object of “saw”)
  • The person to whom I sent the letter is my friend. (Object of the preposition “to”)

Rules for Using Which

Rule 1: Use “which” when referring to things or animals.
Rule 2: “Which” is typically used in nonrestrictive clauses, which are set off by commas. “That” is generally preferred for restrictive clauses, although “which” can be used.

Example:

  • The car, which is red, is parked outside. (Nonrestrictive clause)
  • The book which I borrowed from the library is overdue. (Restrictive clause, formal)

Common Mistakes

One of the most common mistakes is using “who” when “whom” is required, and vice versa. This often occurs when writers fail to identify whether the pronoun is acting as the subject or object in the relative clause. Another frequent error is using “which” to refer to people.

Incorrect: The man who I saw him yesterday is my friend.
Correct: The man whom I saw yesterday is my friend.

Incorrect: The student which is studying hard will succeed.
Correct: The student who is studying hard will succeed.

Incorrect: My friend, which is a doctor, is very busy.
Correct: My friend, who is a doctor, is very busy.

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Choosing Who or Whom

Choose the correct pronoun, “who” or “whom,” to complete each sentence.

# Sentence Answer
1 The person ______ called is my neighbor. who
2 The student ______ the teacher praised is very bright. whom
3 The doctor ______ treated me was very kind. who
4 The artist ______ everyone admires is very talented. whom
5 The singer ______ performed last night was amazing. who
6 The author ______ I interviewed is very insightful. whom
7 The teacher ______ is teaching the class is new. who
8 The chef ______ the critics praised is very innovative. whom
9 The athlete ______ won the race is very fast. who
10 The scientist ______ the university honored is a genius. whom

Exercise 2: Choosing Which

Complete each sentence using “which” correctly.

# Sentence
1 The car, ______ is parked outside, is mine.
2 The book ______ I borrowed from the library is overdue.
3 The house, ______ is on the hill, is very beautiful.
4 The painting ______ hangs in the museum is famous.
5 The song, ______ I heard on the radio, was catchy.
6 The movie ______ I watched last night was thrilling.
7 The restaurant, ______ serves Italian food, is excellent.
8 The park ______ is near my house is very peaceful.
9 The computer, ______ I use for work, is very fast.
10 The phone ______ I have is the latest model.
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Answers:

# Answer
1 which
2 which
3 which
4 which
5 which
6 which
7 which
8 which
9 which
10 which

Exercise 3: Identifying Restrictive and Nonrestrictive Clauses

Identify whether the clause is restrictive or nonrestrictive and punctuate accordingly.

# Sentence Answer
1 The book that I borrowed from the library is overdue. Restrictive
2 My sister who is a doctor lives in New York. Restrictive / Non-restrictive (depending on context. If I have more than one sister, it is restrictive. If I have only one sister, it is nonrestrictive)
3 The car which is red is parked outside. Nonrestrictive
4 The student who studies hard will succeed. Restrictive
5 The Eiffel Tower which is a famous landmark attracts many tourists. Nonrestrictive
6 The man who is wearing a hat is my brother. Restrictive
7 My house which is located near the park is very convenient. Nonrestrictive
8 The movie that I watched last night was very thrilling. Restrictive
9 The restaurant which serves Italian food is excellent. Nonrestrictive
10 The phone that I have is the latest model. Restrictive

Advanced Topics

Prepositions and Relative Pronouns

In formal writing, prepositions often precede “whom” in relative clauses. For example, “to whom,” “with whom,” “by whom,” etc. In less formal contexts, the preposition can sometimes be moved to the end of the clause, but this is generally discouraged in formal writing.

Formal: The person to whom I spoke was very helpful.
Informal: The person who I spoke to was very helpful.

Formal vs. Informal Usage

While “whom” is grammatically correct in many situations, it is becoming less common in everyday speech and informal writing. In informal contexts, it is often acceptable to use “who” in place of “whom.” However, in formal writing, especially in academic or professional settings, it is important to use “whom” correctly to maintain a polished and professional tone.

FAQ

Q1: When should I use “who” versus “whom”?

A1: Use “who” when the pronoun is the subject of a verb in the relative clause. Use “whom” when the pronoun is the object of a verb or a preposition. If you can replace the pronoun with “he/she/they,” use “who.” If you can replace it with “him/her/them,” use “whom.”

Q2: Can I use “that” instead of “which”?

A2: Yes, “that” can be used in restrictive clauses to refer to things or animals. However, “that” is generally not used in nonrestrictive clauses, where “which” is preferred.

Q3: Is it okay to use “who” instead of “whom” in informal writing?

A3: Yes, in informal writing and speech, it is often acceptable to use “who” in place of “whom.” However, in formal writing, it is best to use “whom” correctly.

Q4: How do I identify a restrictive versus a nonrestrictive clause?

A4: A restrictive clause is essential to the meaning of the sentence and is not set off by commas. A nonrestrictive clause provides additional, non-essential information and is set off by commas.

Q5: What happens if I use “which” to refer to a person?

A5: Using “which” to refer to a person is grammatically incorrect. You should use “who” or “whom” when referring to people.

Q6: How can I practice using “who,” “whom,” and “which” correctly?

A6: Practice by writing sentences using each pronoun in different contexts. Pay attention to whether the pronoun is acting as the subject or object in the relative clause. Review grammar rules and examples regularly, and seek feedback on your writing.

Q7: Are there any exceptions to the rules for using “who,” “whom,” and “which”?

A7: While the rules provided are generally applicable, there can be nuanced situations where usage may vary. Consulting a comprehensive grammar guide or style manual can provide further clarification in such cases.

Q8: Is the use of “whom” really dying out?

A8: While “whom” is less frequently used in casual speech and informal writing, it remains an important part of formal English. It is still widely used and considered correct in formal writing, academic papers, and professional communication. Knowing how to use “whom” correctly demonstrates a strong command of English grammar.

Conclusion

Mastering the usage of “who,” “whom,” and “which” is a vital step toward achieving clarity and precision in your writing. By understanding their functions as relative pronouns and following the rules outlined in this article, you can confidently construct grammatically correct and sophisticated sentences. Remember to consider whether the pronoun is the subject or object in the clause and whether the clause is restrictive or nonrestrictive.

Practice is key to solidifying your understanding. Review the examples, complete the exercises, and pay attention to how these pronouns are used in various texts. With consistent effort, you will be able to use “who,” “whom,” and “which” with accuracy and ease, enhancing the effectiveness of your communication. Keep practicing, and you’ll master these pronouns in no time!