Adjective Clause

Who, Whom and That : Adding Descriptive Information for People and Things

An adjective clause uses pronouns to connect the dependent clause to the independent clause.

• who (people)
• that (things or people)
• which (things)

Subject who vs. Object whom Pronouns

WHO - SUBJECT OF THE CLAUSE	WHOM - OBJECT OF THE CLAUSE
The woman who called you is here. She called you.	The woman (whom) you called is here. You called her.

Subject and Object Pronoun – that

THAT / WHICH - SUBJECT OF THE CLAUSE	THAT/ WHICH - OBJECT OF THE CLAUSE
The phone that is red is here. It is red.	The phone that you bought is here. You bought it.
The phone which is red is here. It is red OPTION: "That" can also refer to a person; "which" cannot.	The phone which you bought is here. You bought it. Option: You can omit the object pronoun..

Common Mistakes

ERRORS	FIXES
The telephone is here that is yours.	The phone that is yours is here. The pronoun must be next to the word it modifies.
*The man which you are talking about isn't a friend.	The man that / whom/ who you are talking about isn't a friend. "Which" cannot refer to a person. Use "that".

Omitting an Object Pronoun

CANNOT OMIT - SUBJECT PRONOUN OF CLAUSE	CAN OMIT - OBJECT PRONOUN OF CLAUSE
The woman who called you is here. (She called you.)	The woman [whom] you called is here. (You called her.)
The phone that is red is here. (It is red.)	The telephone [that] you bought is here.
The phone which is red is here	The telephone [which] you bought is here.

Practice

Which relative pronoun(s) can complete each sentence?

Select an option to the right. (Internet Explorer users may need to click inside the feedback box to force the text to appear.)

#	FEEDBACK	OPTIONS
1	My friend told me about a student. The student has taken the TOEFL test twelve times! My friend told me about a student has taken the TOEFL test twelve times! Feedback 1	who whom which that
2	The professor didn't know the answer to my question. I talked to the professor. The professor I talked to didn't know the answer to my question. Feedback 2	who whom which that
3	I am looking for a college program. The program offers a lot of computer courses. I am looking for a college program offers a lot of computer courses. Feedback 3	who 0 (omit the pronoun) which that
4	Some of the courses have been very useful. I took the courses last semester. Some of the courses I took last semester have been very useful. Feedback 4	who 0 (omit the pronoun) which that
5	My friend studies with me in the afternoon. My friend is in my Networks class. My friend is in my Networks class studies with me in the afternoon. Feedback 5	who whom which 0 (omit the pronoun)
6	Computer Information Systems is the kind of major. The major will guarantee a good job after graduation. Computer Information Systems is the kind of major will guarantee a good job after graduation. Feedback 6	who 0 (omit the pronoun) which that
7	The class was Programming with PHP. I didn't do will in the class. The class I didn't do well in was Programming with PHP. Feedback 7	who 0 (omit the pronoun) which that
8	The courses are mostly graphic arts classes. The courses are taught in th evening. The courses are taught in the evening are mostly graphic arts classes. Feedback 8	0 (omit the pronoun) which that who
9.	You should always study the subjects. You really like the subjects. You should always study the subjects you really like. Feedback 9	who 0 (omit the pronoun) which that
10.	A person will do well in life. A person has a positive outlook. A person has a positive outlook will do well in life. Feedback 10	who 0 (omit the pronoun) which