Hey there, 7th graders! Ever wondered how to connect ideas smoothly in your sentences? Meet relative pronouns—your new grammar buddies! These handy words link clauses to nouns, adding details without starting a new sentence. Let’s dive in and become relative pronoun pros!
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What Are Relative Pronouns?
Relative pronouns are words that introduce relative clauses, giving extra info about a noun. Think of them as bridges connecting two ideas. The main ones are: who, whom, whose, which, that, where, and when.
Common Relative Pronouns & Their Uses
1. Who
Refers to people (subject of the clause).
Example: "The girl who plays guitar is my sister."
2. Whom
Refers to people (object of the verb or preposition).
Formal but important!
Example: "The teacher whom we thanked is retiring."
3. Whose
Shows possession (for people, animals, or things).
Example: "The dog whose collar is red loves fetch."
4. Which
Refers to animals or things (often in non-essential clauses).
Example: "My backpack, which is blue, holds all my books."
5. That
Refers to people, animals, or things (used in essential clauses).
Example: "The book that I borrowed is thrilling!"
6. Where
Refers to places.
Example: "The park where we skateboard has a fountain."
7. When
Refers to times.
Example: "Summer when school’s out is my favourite!"
Restrictive vs. Non-Restrictive Clauses
Restrictive Clauses: Essential info, no commas.
Example: "The cake that Mom baked is chocolate."
Non-Restrictive Clauses: Extra info, use commas.
Example: "My bike, which has a bell, is new."
Top Tips to Avoid Mistakes
1. Who vs. Whom:
Use who if the pronoun is doing the action (subject).
Use whom if it’s receiving the action (object).
Trick: Replace with "he" (who) or "him" (whom).
2. That vs. Which:
That = Essential details.
Which = Extra details (with commas).
3. Whose vs. Who’s:
Whose = Possession ("Whose pen is this?").
Who’s = Contraction for "who is" ("Who’s ready?").
Practice Makes Perfect!
Test your skills with these exercises:
1.Fill in the Blank:
"The scientist ___ discovered the comet won an award." (who/whom)
"The store ___ we bought snacks is closing." (where/which)
2.Combine Sentences:
"I have a friend. She loves astronomy." → "I have a friend ___ loves astronomy."
Answers:
1. who, where
2. who
Why It Matters
Using relative pronouns makes your writing clearer and more engaging. Whether you’re telling a story or writing an essay, these words help you sound polished and precise.
Fun Fact
Did you know "that" can replace "who" or "which" in restrictive clauses? Example: "The friend that I text daily is moving." (But stick to "who" for people in formal writing!)
Conclusion
You’ve got the tools to master relative pronouns! Keep practicing with books, conversations, and quizzes. Soon, you’ll link ideas like a grammar champ. Remember, every pro started where you are now—keep curious and have fun with language!
Ready for a challenge? Look for relative pronouns in your favourite song lyrics or TikTok captions. How many can you spot? 😊
