Relative Clauses with Who/Whom/WhoseUsing “Who” in Relative Clauses

“Who” is very useful in definitions and explanations. It is nominative case and thus is always the subject of its clause. Note that sometimes Americans use “who” when they really should use “whom” (objective case). In our Telegram group, I am going to enforce the use of “whom” when objective case is required in order to help you learn the difference between “who” and “whom”.

Using “Who” as the Subject of Its Clause

Here are some example sentences using “who” as the subject of its clause. Note that in this usage, “who” is immediately followed by a verb. Let me say that again. Note that in this usage, “who” is immediately followed by a verb.

1. A plumber is a man who works on your water pipes, sinks, and drains.

2. An engineer is a professional who builds things or make things work.

3. That is the woman who asked me about this item.

4. It was my father who taught me how to fish.

5. That is the student who started the fight.

Practical Exercise - Write five sentences using “who” as the subject of its relative clause.

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Relative Clauses with Who/Whom/WhoseUsing “Whom” in Relative Clauses

“Whom” is objective case. This means it is either the direct object (DO), indirect object (IO), or the object of a preposition (PO). Thus, it is never the subject of its clause. Note that sometimes Americans use “who” when they really should use “whom” (objective case). In our Telegram group, I am going to enforce the use of “whom” when objective case is required in order to help you learn the difference between “who” and “whom”.

Using “Whom” as a Direct Object (DO)

Here are some example sentences using “whom” as an object of its clause. Note that in this usage, “whom” is immediately followed by a subject and verb.

1. This is my wife, whom I married 30 years ago to this day. (DO = I married whom)

2. That is the man whom I mentioned to you last week. (DO = I mentioned whom)

3. This is my lawyer whom you wanted to meet. (DO = you wanted to meet whom)

4. She is the doctor whom my wife recommended. (DO = my wife recommended whom)

5. This is my boss, whom you met yesterday. (DO = you met whom yesterday)

Practical Exercise - Write five sentences using “whom” as the direct object of its relative clause.

Using “Whom” as a Prepositional Object (PO)

Here are some example sentences using “whom” as an object of a preposition. Note that in this usage, “whom” is immediately preceded by a preposition and immediately followed by a subject-verb or a verb.

1. This is the plumber of whom I spoke yesterday. (PO = I spoke of whom yesterday)

2. This is the dentist to whom I go every six months. (PO = I go to whom)

3. This is the committee for whom I work. (PO = I work for whom)

4. This is the movie that introduces Voldemort by whom Harry Potter was almost killed as a baby. (PO = was killed by whom)

5. I have three friends, two of whom are nuclear engineers. (PO = of whom, two are…)

Practical Exercise - Write five sentences using “whom” as an object of a preposition in its relative clause./tt/file_convert/5f2037c6f639433c210df3a3/document.docx

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Relative Clauses with Who/Whom/WhoseUsing “Whom” as an Indirect Object (IO)

Here are some example sentences using “whom” as an indirect object. Recall that a prepositional phrase “to whom” or “for whom” after the DO becomes just “whom” when placed between the verb and the DO. In this case the “to”/”for” is omitted but is understood to be there. In this construction, “whom” is called an indirect object (IO).

Note that in this usage, “whom” is immediately preceded by a verb and immediately followed by a direct object. In this usage, the emotion is usually shock, and the word “whom” is stressed.

1. You gave whom $1000? (IO = gave (to) whom what)

2. He gave whom a call after his wife died? (IO = gave (to) whom what)

3. She did whom a favor? (IO = did (for) whom what)

4. I wrote whom a letter? That’s not your business. (IO = write (to) whom what)

5. You sang whom a love song? I thought you hated him! (IO = sang (to) whom what)

Practical Exercise - Write five sentences using “whom” as the indirect object in its relative clause.

Using “Whose” in Relative Clauses

“Whose” is a possessive adjective that is always followed by a noun that belongs to the antecedent of “whose”. Here are some example sentences using “whose”.

1. This is my friend whose mother I told you about. (Adj = my friend’s mother)

2. That was my sister, whose boyfriend was killed yesterday, so that’s why she seems to be in a sullen mood. (Adj= my sister’s boyfriend)

3. Will the person whose cell phone is ringing please silence it immediately! (Adj = the person’s cell phone)

4. That is the family whose home burned down last week. (Adj = family’s home)

5. That is the policeman whose police car was stolen this morning. (Adj = policeman’s car)

Practical Exercise - Write five sentences using “whose” as a possessive adjective in its relative clause.

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