Relative Pronouns for People and Things

Relative Pronouns for People and Things (Who, Which)

Relative pronouns are used to connect clauses and provide more information about a noun. When referring to people, we use who, and when referring to things, animals, or ideas, we use which. These pronouns introduce relative clauses that describe or give additional information about the noun.

1. When Do We Use ‘Who’ and ‘Which’?

‘Who‘ is used for people or subjects that are human:

The teacher who is speaking is very kind.
I have a friend who lives in New York.

‘Which‘ is used for things, animals, or ideas:

The book which I borrowed was fantastic.
I love the car which I bought last year.
The house which we visited is very old.

2. Forming Sentences with ‘Who’ and ‘Which’

Using “Who”

Basic pattern: Subject + Verb + Person + who + information
- This is the teacher. + The teacher helps me with English. →
  - This is the teacher who helps me with English.
- I have a friend. + My friend lives in London. →
  - I have a friend who lives in London.

Using “Which”

Basic pattern: Subject + Verb + Thing + which + information
- This is the book. + The book teaches grammar. →
  - This is the book which teaches grammar.
- I like the computer. + The computer is in my room. →
  - I like the computer which is in my room.

3. Examples

‘Who’:

The teacher who taught us last semester was very patient.
She is the artist who painted that beautiful picture.
The man who helped me with my luggage was very kind.
The students who passed the exam celebrated their success.

‘Which’:

The book which I’m reading is fascinating.
I saw the car which was parked outside the house.
This is the chair which broke yesterday.
The dog which followed me home was very friendly.