English Language Arts
Grade 10
15 min
Identify relative pronouns
Identify relative pronouns
What you'll learn
- Identify at least 4 out of 5 relative pronouns (who, whom, whose, which, that) in a sentence.
- Explain the purpose of a relative pronoun in connecting two clauses in a sentence in their own words.
- Apply the correct relative pronoun (who, which, or that) to complete 3 out of 4 sentences accurately.
Tutorial Preview
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Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Define the function of a relative pronoun and list the five most common examples.
Accurately identify relative pronouns within complex sentences from literary and academic texts.
Distinguish between a relative pronoun and an interrogative pronoun based on its function in a sentence.
Locate the specific antecedent to which a relative pronoun refers.
Analyze whether a relative pronoun is functioning as a subject, object, or possessive within its own clause.
Differentiate between restrictive and non-restrictive clauses introduced by relative pronouns.
Ever notice how some words act like bridges, connecting a main idea to a crucial piece of descriptive information? 🌉 Let's explore the powerful pronouns that build these grammatical bridges.
This tutoria...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
Relative PronounA pronoun that introduces a dependent (subordinate) clause, called a relative clause, and connects it to a noun or pronoun (the antecedent) in the main clause. The most common are who, whom, whose, which, and that.In 'The researcher *who* discovered the fossil was celebrated,' the relative pronoun *who* introduces the clause 'who discovered the fossil' and connects it to 'researcher'.
AntecedentThe noun or pronoun that a relative pronoun refers to or replaces.In 'The novel, *which* I read last summer, is a classic,' the antecedent of *which* is 'novel'.
Relative ClauseA dependent clause that begins with a relative pronoun and functions as an adjective, modifying an antecedent.In 'This is the evide...
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Key Rules & Conventions
The Connection Rule
A relative pronoun must have a clear antecedent in the main clause and must introduce a clause that modifies that antecedent.
To identify a relative pronoun, look for a word like 'who,' 'which,' or 'that' which is immediately followed by a clause (a subject-verb group) and refers back to a noun just before it.
The Subject/Object Rule (Who vs. Whom)
Use 'who' when the relative pronoun is the subject of the relative clause. Use 'whom' when it is the object of the verb or a preposition in the relative clause.
To test this, mentally substitute 'he/she' or 'him/her' into the relative clause. If 'he' or 'she' fits, use 'who.' If 'him' or 'her'...
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Challenging
Analyze the sentence: 'The scholar, to whom the university granted a fellowship, wrote the book that is now required reading.' Which statement is the most accurate and complete analysis?
A.'Whom' is the object of the preposition 'to' with the antecedent 'scholar,' and 'that' is the subject of 'is' with the antecedent 'book.'
B.'Whom' is the subject of 'granted' with the antecedent 'scholar,' and 'that' is the object of 'wrote.'
C.'To whom' is a relative pronoun referring to 'university,' and 'that' is a conjunction.
D.'Whom' refers to 'university,' and 'that' refers to 'scholar.'
Challenging
How does the meaning differ between these two sentences?
1. The students who completed the extra credit received a higher grade.
2. The students, who completed the extra credit, received a higher grade.
A.There is no difference in meaning; the commas are optional.
B.Sentence 1 implies only a specific group of students received a higher grade, while Sentence 2 implies all the students completed the extra credit and all received a higher grade.
C.Sentence 1 is about past events, while Sentence 2 is about ongoing events.
D.Sentence 1 uses 'who' as a subject, while Sentence 2 uses 'who' as an object.
Challenging
Which sentence contains a clear error in the application of the who/whom rule as described in the tutorial?
A.The director, for whom the cast has great respect, is retiring.
B.Who do you think will win the literary prize?
C.The panel selected the applicant who they thought had the most experience.
D.The person to who I sent the research proposal has not yet responded.
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What grade level is "Identify relative pronouns"?
Identify relative pronouns is a Grade 10 English Language Arts lesson on ExcelOS.
What will I learn in Identify relative pronouns?
You'll be able to: Identify at least 4 out of 5 relative pronouns (who, whom, whose, which, that) in a sentence; Explain the purpose of a relative pronoun in connecting two clauses in a sentence in their own words; Apply the correct relative….
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This lesson includes 25 practice questions across multiple difficulty levels, each with instant feedback and explanations.