Home of English Grammar

Grammar Guide
  • Home
  • Exercises
  • Rules
  • Test Yourself
  • Tools
    • Grammar Checker
    • Word Counter
  • Top Social Media Posts
  • Writing Guides
  • Contact
You are here: Home / Conjunctions / Difference between conjunctions, relative pronouns and relative adverbs

Difference between conjunctions, relative pronouns and relative adverbs

September 10, 2013 - pdf

Conjunctions, relative pronouns and relative adverbs can be used to connect two clauses. The grammar is different. Prepositions do not connect two clauses. They merely show the relationship between a noun/pronoun and another word in the sentence.

Relative pronouns

Relative pronouns are different from conjunctions. Relative pronouns are important connecting devices. They not only connect two clauses but also act as the subject or object of the verb in the relative clause. This is the main difference between conjunctions and relative pronouns. Conjunctions merely connect two clauses. They do not serve any other purpose.

Study the sentences given below.

This is the letter. My mother sent me this letter.

We can connect these two clauses.

This is the letter that my mother sent me.

Here the relative pronoun that replaces the phrase this letter and acts as the object of the verb sent. It is easy to decide whether a relative pronoun is the subject or the object. When it is the object it will be immediately followed by another noun which acts as the subject. In this case, the relative pronoun ‘that’ is followed by the noun ‘my mother’ which acts as the subject.

Another example is given below.

This is the boy. He won the first prize.

This is the boy who won the first prize.

Here the relative pronoun who replaces the pronoun he. It acts as the subject of the relative clause.

Relative adverb

The relative adverb not only modifies a verb, but also joins the two clauses in a sentence. Note that a relative adverb does not act as the subject or object in the relative clause. It merely replaces an adverb.

This is the house. John lives here.

This is the house where John lives.

Here the relative adverb where replaces the place adverb here.

Another example is given below.

I first met Susie on that day. I will never forget that day.

I will never forget the day when I first met Susie.

  • Share
  • Post
  • Send
  • Mail
2,485,429 
716,032 

Grammar Checker

GrammarCheck.net - Try online
Hint → Bookmark GrammarCheck for future use.

Latest Exercises

  • Conjunctions Exercise Level B1 June 20, 2025
  • Passive Voice – Simple Past Tense June 16, 2025
  • Pronouns Exercise Level B1 June 15, 2025
  • Phrasal Verbs And Vocabulary Exercise June 14, 2025
  • Forms of the Infinitive June 13, 2025
  • Gerunds And Infinitives – ESL Grammar Exercise June 12, 2025
  • Adjectives Followed by Prepositions June 12, 2025
  • Articles Exercise for ESL Students June 10, 2025
  • Simple And Progressive Tenses Exercise June 9, 2025

Copyright © 2025 · EnglishGrammar.org
Disclaimer · Privacy Policy · Sitemap