RELATIVE PRONOUN

Definition of Relative Pronoun

Relative Pronoun is a pronoun used to introduce arelative clause that describes the noun in thecomplex sentence . Thus, the relative pronoun is part of the relative clause . In the  relative clause , the relative pronoun  can function as  subject , object , or  possessive  pronoun where in there is no difference in the  number  ( singular  or  plural ) and  gender  (male or female). Pronoun  include: who ,  Whom ,  Whose ,  roomates , and  that  and the  indefinite pronoun  with the  suffix  - ever , namely:  whoever ,  whomever , and  whichever . 

Formulas Relative Clause and Complex Sentence

The relative pronoun is part of a relative clause that can not stand alone, but are in the  complex sentence (complex sentence). While the c omplex sentence  is a combination of the  independent clause  (complete sentence) and the  subordinate clause  (relative clause). For more details picture, can be seen in the following formula.

Relative Clause Relative Pronoun = + / - Subject + Verb

and

Complex Sentence = Independent Clause + Relative Clause

Example:

• Relative pronoun = that
• Relative clause = that I bought last week
• Complex Sentence = It is the bicycle that I bought last week.

Examples of Relative Pronoun

As an example of the relative pronoun  ( bold ) in the relative clause ( the bottom line ) in the complex sentence  can be seen in the following table.

Relative Pronoun	Information	Examples of Relative Pronoun in the complex sentence	Information
who  (whom)whoever (whomever)	Relative pronoun serves to connect the noun  form of the (subject / object of sentence) with the verb in theadjective clause . In the adjective clause , the relative pronoun serves as the subject or object.	The boy  who is playing football on the yard  is my neighbor.  (children who were playing football on the field is my neighbor.)	Who  is the subject of the  verb = is playing and introducing an adjective clause  that describes the subject =  the boy .
		I looked for the man whoBorrowed me money .  (I am looking for a man who lent me the money.)	Who  is the subject of the  verb = Borrowed and introduce clauses that describe the man .
roomates  (which)whichever (either)	Serves to connect the noun objects, animals, or sometimes people (subject / object of sentence) with theadjective clause.  Which is more specific than what . In the  adjective clause, r elative pronoun  refers to the subject or the object.	The table  roomates was made ​​of oak wood  has broken.  (table is made ​​of wood oakhas been broken.)	Which  is the subject of the  verb = was made ​​and introduced a  clause adjective that describes the subject =  the table.
		He always eats bread whichever he likes .  (He always eat Rotu that wherever he likes.)	Whichever is the object of the  verb = likes  and introduce clauses that describe the  direct object = bread .
Whose  (has / belongs to whom)	Relative pronoun serves to assert ownership of the object or person described in section its clauses.	The Woman Whose car I want to buy is my old friend.  (lady whose car I want to buy an old friend of mine.)	-
Whom  (with / for / to whom)whomever (with / for / to anyone)	Whom is the more formal form of who. Whom is often preceded by apreposition (functioning as object of the preposition ).  Relative pronoun serves as the object of the adjective clause .	She is the woman to Whom  I wanted to meet .  (She's the woman I want to meet.)	Whom is the  object of the preposition "to" and explain the adjective clause  that describes the woman .
		The team  Whom  you were watching has won three gold medals.  (you watch Team has won three gold medals.)	Whom  is the  object of the verb = were watching as well as introduce clauses that describe the subject =  the teams .
that	Relative pronoun serves to connect the  noun as an object or sometimes people (subject / object of sentence) with the adjective clause . At the adjective clause ,  the relative pronoun refers to the subject or the object.That is used in the clause defining (restrictive) . That tends informal (compared to WHO and roomates )	Cats that live in the wildmay have a better immune system.  (The cats that live in the wild may have a better immune system.)	That  is the subject of the  verb = live  as well as introducing an adjective clause  that describes the subject = cats .
		The laptop that I bought five years ago is still work properly.  (laptop that I bought five years ago is still working fine.)	That  is the object of the  verb = bought  as well as introduce clauses that describe the subject =  laptop .

References:

• Introducing and General Usage in Defining Clauses. http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/645/01/.Accessed on October 16, 2012.
• Pronouns. http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/pronouns1.htm. Accessed on October 16, 2012.
• What is a pronouns. http://www.uottawa.ca/academic/arts/writcent/hypergrammar/pronouns.html.Accessed on October 16, 2012.
• Relative pronouns. http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/pronouns-relative.htm. Accessed on October 16, 2012.
• Who and Whom. http://web.ku.edu/ ~ edit / whom.html. Accessed on October 16, 2012.
• http://www.wordsmile.com/relative-pronouns