Using “Who,” “Whom,” “Which,” and “That”
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Understanding when to use “who,” “whom,” “which,” and “that” is essential for crafting clear and grammatically correct sentences. Each relative pronoun has specific uses and rules.
### Who
“Who” is used for people and refers to the subject of a clause.
**Examples:**
1. The **girl who won the contest** is my cousin.
2. The **teacher who teaches math** is very popular.
3. This is the **man who helped me**.
### Whom
“Whom” is used for people and refers to the object of a clause. It is often considered more formal.
**Examples:**
1. The **woman whom I met** at the conference is an expert in her field.
2. The **person whom you are looking for** is not here.
3. The **employee to whom the award was given** is deserving.
**Tip:** If you can replace the pronoun with “him” or “her,” “whom” is correct.
– I met her. (I met whom.)
### Which
“Which” is used for animals and things. It can be used in both restrictive and non-restrictive clauses but is more commonly seen in non-restrictive clauses.
**Examples:**
1. The **book which I borrowed** from the library is excellent. (Restrictive)
2. The **Eiffel Tower, which is in Paris,** is an iconic landmark. (Non-restrictive)
3. The **car which was parked here** is gone now.
### That
“That” is used for people, animals, and things in restrictive (defining) clauses. It specifies and defines the noun it modifies.
**Examples:**
1. The **dog that bit me** had a red collar.
2. The **movie that we watched** last night was boring.
3. The **student that got the highest grade** will receive a scholarship.
### Key Differences and Usage Tips
| Relative Pronoun | Usage | Examples |
|——————|—————————————-|—————————————————————————————|
| Who | Subject of a clause for people | The **artist who painted this** is famous. |
| Whom | Object of a clause for people | The **doctor whom you recommended** is not available. |
| Which | Animals and things; non-restrictive (common) | The **laptop, which I bought yesterday,** is already broken. |
| That | People, animals, things; restrictive | The **team that won the championship** is celebrating. |
### Examples in Context
#### Using “Who”
**Correct Usage:**
1. The **student who asked the question** got a detailed answer.
2. My **neighbor, who is a retired engineer,** loves gardening.
**Incorrect Usage:**
1. The **student whom asked** the question got a detailed answer. (Should be “who”)
#### Using “Whom”
**Correct Usage:**
1. The **manager whom they hired** is very experienced.
2. He is a person **whom I trust** completely.
**Incorrect Usage:**
1. The **manager who they hired** is very experienced. (Should be “whom” in formal writing)
2. He is a person **who I trust** completely. (Should be “whom” in formal writing)
#### Using “Which”
**Correct Usage:**
1. The **proposal, which was approved last week,** is now being implemented.
2. She made a cake **which everyone enjoyed**.
**Incorrect Usage:**
1. The **car that was expensive** is now on sale. (Could be “which” if it’s non-restrictive: “The car, which was expensive, is now on sale.”)
#### Using “That”
**Correct Usage:**
1. The **bike that I bought** is very fast.
2. The **movie that we saw** last night was fascinating.
**Incorrect Usage:**
1. My **brother, that is a lawyer,** works in New York. (Should be “who” in non-restrictive)
2. She adopted a dog, **that she found** at a shelter. (Should be “which” in non-restrictive)
### Summary Table
| Pronoun | Type of Clause | Refers To | Example |
|———|—————————–|—————————-|————————————————————|
| Who | Subject | People | The **person who called** you is my friend. |
| Whom | Object | People | The **candidate whom we interviewed** is very qualified. |
| Which | Non-restrictive (common), Restrictive (less common) | Animals, things | The **device, which was on sale,** is already outdated. |
| That | Restrictive | People, animals, things | The **book that she wrote** is a bestseller. |
By understanding and correctly using “who,” “whom,” “which,” and “that,” you can make your sentences clearer and more grammatically accurate.
