Relative pronouns are words like who, which, that, whom and where. They are used to connect two clauses. They also act as the subject or object of the verb in the relative clause.
This grammar exercise tests your understanding of relative pronouns. Fill in the blanks with an appropriate relative pronoun.
1. This is the town ...................... I spent my childhood.
The relative adverb where can mean in which.
2. This is the town in .................... I spent my childhood.
In which means the same as where.
3. This is the house .................... I was born in.
4. Here is an article ..................... might interest you.
The relative pronoun not only connects two clauses but also acts as the subject or object of the verb in the relative clause. As subjects or objects, they replace words like they, them, she, her etc.
5. I gave her a bag ......................... she put in her bag at once.
The relative pronoun not only connects two clauses but also acts as the subject or object of the verb in the relative clause. As subjects or objects, they replace words like they, them, she, her etc.
6. This is Alice ........................... you met last year.
That can be used to refer to both people and things; however, that is not used in non-identifying relative clauses.
7. I was impressed by the way ............................ she did it.
8. They got divorced a few months later ............................ surprised nobody.
Which can refer to the clause of a previous clause.
9. The people ......................... live next door are not very friendly.
Both who and that can refer to people in identifying relative clauses.
10. The only thing ................. matters is to find our way home.
The relative pronoun that is preferred after words like few, little, only and much.
11. The woman ............................. I marry should have good sense of humor.
In an informal style, who can be used as the object of the relative clause.
12. She was loved by the people with .............................. she worked.
The relative pronouns who and that are not used after prepositions.
Answers
1. This is the town where I spent my childhood.
2. This is the town in which I spent my childhood.
3. This is the house that / which I was born in.
4. Here is an article which / that might interest you.
5. I gave her a bag which she put in her bag at once.
6. This is Alice whom you met last year.
7. I was impressed by the way in which she did it.
8. They got divorced a few months later which surprised nobody.
9. The people who live next door are not very friendly.
10. The only thing that matters is to find our way home.
11. The woman who / whom I marry should have good sense of humor.
12. She was loved by the people with whom she worked.
