Relative pronouns
Which relative pronoun do we use for people?
who
Looking out the window, she saw an old man.
correct (As/While she was looking out...)
While I was listening to the radio, I heard about a great offer on video games.
Listening to the radio, I heard about a great offer on video games.
That's our new teacher. She started work today.
That's our new teacher, who started work today.
Which relative pronoun do we use for things?
which
My brother, that lives in Madrid, is coming to visit.
incorrect (My brother, who lives...)
If it is used correctly, the gadget should work for around five years.
Used correctly, the gadget should work for around five years.
I like Will Smith's latest film. He plays an alien in it.
I like Will Smith's latest film, in which he plays an alien.
Which relative pronoun do we use for a place?
where
Barking loudly, she saw a big dog running towards her.
incorrect (She saw a big dog running towards her, barking loudly.)
Anyone who does their banking online could become a victim of identity theft.
Anyone doing their banking online could become a victim of identity theft.
My sister always borrows my things without permission. It's really annoying.
My sister always borrows my things without permission, which is really annoying.
Which relative pronoun do we use for a possessive?
whose
That's the hotel where we stayed in last summer.
incorrect (That's the hotel where we stayed last summer. OR That's the hotel which we stayed in last summer.)
Because he had made a fortune selling his app, John decided to take a long holiday.
Having made a fortune selling his app, John decided to take a long holiday.
I bought a new car. The car is really fast.
I bought a new car that/which is really fast.
Which relative pronoun do we use for people when it refers to the object of the sentence?
whom
Having bought in a second-hand shop, the painting turned out to be a lost masterpiece.
incorrect (Bought in a second-hand shop, the painting...)
As she had lost the receipt, she was unable to get a refund.
Having lost the receipt, she was unable to get a refund.
We were cycling. Then we saw a dog. The owner had abandoned it.
We were cycling when we saw a dog whose owner had abandoned it.