English (UK) · Relative & Reflexive Pronouns

Relative Pronouns: who, which, whose, where

A relative clause tells us exactly which person, thing or place we mean. It starts with a relative word:

who for people: the woman who lives next door
which for things: the book which I read
whose for possession, instead of his, her or their: the man whose car was stolen
where for places, when a new subject and verb follow: the hotel where we stayed

In these clauses you can also use that instead of who or which: the book that I read, a friend that speaks Spanish.

Common mistakes:

never use what here: the book which I read, not the book what I read
don't repeat the subject: the woman who lives here, not the woman who she lives here
use which when the place is the object of the verb after it: the house which we bought, but the house where we live

Examples

The woman lives next door is a doctor.Show answer

The woman who lives next door is a doctor.

This is the book I told you about.Show answer

This is the book which I told you about.

That's the man car was stolen.Show answer

That's the man whose car was stolen.

This is the hotel we stayed last year.Show answer

This is the hotel where we stayed last year.

I have a friend speaks five languages.Show answer

I have a friend who speaks five languages.

The bus goes to the airport leaves every hour.Show answer

The bus which goes to the airport leaves every hour.

A baker is someone makes bread.Show answer

A baker is someone who makes bread.

I need a phone takes good photos.Show answer

I need a phone which takes good photos.

This is the restaurant we first met.Show answer

This is the restaurant where we first met.

I know a girl brother plays for the national team.Show answer

I know a girl whose brother plays for the national team.