Relative Pronouns Exercise
Fill in the blanks with an appropriate relative pronoun.
1. I know the place …………………….. he lives.
which
where
there
When we separate the clauses we get: I know the place. He lives there. The relative pronoun
where replaces place words like there.
2. He is the man ……………………….. rescued my sister.
who
whom
which
When we separate the clauses we get: He is the man. He rescued my sister. The relative
pronoun who replaces words like he, she and they.
3. He never does anything ………………………….. is silly.
that
what
which
The relative pronoun that is preferred after words like all, any or anything.
4. Here is the book …………………….. you want.
that
what
Either could be used here
When we separate the clauses we get: Here is the book. You want it. The relative pronoun
that can replace words like he, she and it.
5. People ………………………. live in glass houses should not throw stones.
who
whom
which
The relative pronoun who is used to talk about people.
6. Any student ………………………… fails to do the homework will be
punished.
who
that
Either could be used here
7. He laughs best ……………………….. laughs last.
who
whom
which
8. This is the reason ………………………… he came late.
that
why
Either could be used here
We can use that or why after reason.
9. The explanation …………………………. he gave us was not satisfactory.
that
which
Either could be used here
10. The houses in …………………………… the Burmese live are generally
built of bamboo.
there
where
which
11. He met a girl ……………………….. eyes were blue.
who
whose
who’s
The relative pronoun whose replaces words like his or her.
12. The author lives in that cottage ……………………….. overlooks the lake.
which
there
where
That and which can both refer to things in identifying relative clauses.
PLAY AGAIN !
Answers
1. I know the place where he lives.
2. He is the man who rescued my sister.
3. He never does anything that is silly.
4. Here is the book that you want.
5. People who live in glass houses should not throw stones.
6. Any student who fails to do the homework will be punished.
7. He laughs best who laughs last.
8. This is the reason that / why he came late.
9. The explanation that he gave us was not satisfactory.
10. The houses in which the Burmese live are generally built of bamboo.
11. He met a girl whose eyes were blue.
Relative Pronouns Exercise
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12. The author lives in that cottage which / that overlooks the lake.