Level
6 Unit 4 - Relative pronouns -
Who, Whom, Whose, Which
Select the correct answer (or
answers) from the choices given.
RELATIVE CLAUSES
WHO Used for the person who does something, the subject of the sentence:
The man WHO bought my car. Nobody WHO has really thought about it can possibly agree... They caught the accountant WHO stole the money.
WHOM For a person who is the object of the sentence. He has something done to him:
The man to WHOM I sold my car. To WHOM did you give it?
but
In modern English, in conversation it would be more normal in the above examples to say
The man I sold my car to. Who did you give it to? (Note that "to" has to be at the end of the phrase)
In written English, or formal situationslike a presentation, it is better to use the "correct" form:
Our benefactor, to WHOM we are infinitely grateful, has once more come to our rescue. The directors, WHOM I know personally, are all behind me in this. WHICH Use it for things, object or subject.
The injection WHICH I gave him was for Polio. (subject) The injection WHICH I recieved was for Polio. (object) The interview, WHICH was quite long, took place in the boardroom. (subject) I was late for the interview WHICH I had scheduled for 11 a.m.. (object)
WHOSE: Posessive:
I spoke to a man. HIS office is near mine. I spoke to a man WHOSE office is near mine.
The woman cancelled HER appointment. It was at 3:30. The woman, WHOSE appointment was at 3:30, cancelled it.
Note that "whose" can be used for objects, not just people:
TMA is a company. ITS products are sold here. TMA is a company WHOSE products are sold here.
Sometimes it is possible to use OF WHICH instead of WHOSE:
The organisation, WHOSE problems we have all heard, has little influence these days.
The organisation, the problems OF WHICH we have all heard, has little influence these days.
I have a friend _____ parents have a yacht in Southampton.
who
whom
whose
which
On the cruise I met a woman _____ has four racehorses!
who
whom
whose
which
The agent ________ I met yesterday has flats to rent in both Oxford and Cambridge.
who
whom
whose
which
I have a reservation on a flight _____ leaves at 12:15.
who
whom
whose
which
Fred Bates is the man _____ is in charge of plant maintenance.
who
whom
whose
which
The HR manager is the one to _____ you should apply.
who
whom
whose
which
What we want is someone to _____ we can bring our problems.
who
whom
whose
which
The supervisor, _____ has over 18 years experience, will know how to handle the situation.
who
whom
whose
which
We could use any of several database programs: I'm not sure ________ is best suited to the job.
who
whom
whose
which
The client, _____ appointment is at nine-thirty, called to cancel it.
who
whom
whose
which
A client with an appointment ________ isn't in the computer is waiting at reception. Can someone see him please?
who
whom
whose
which
The company is planning an expansion _____ will make it more efficient.
who
whom
whose
which
The company, ________ expansion is planned for next year, will increase its workforce by 12%.
who
whom
whose
which
This is a very good book _____ I can recommend to anyone involved in improving management and worker relations.
who
whom
whose
which
The salesman from _____ we got the coffee machine is now proposing a snack distributor.
who
whom
whose
which
The salesman _____ sold us the coffee machine wants us to buy a snack distributor now.
who
whom
whose
which
We bought the coffee machine from the salesman _____ conditions were the most advantageous.
who
whom
whose
which
I have a neighbour _____ dog barks constantly, day and night.
who
whom
whose
which
My neighbour's dog, ________ barks constantly, annoys everyone in the street.
who
whom
whose
which
I'm the person _____ name was announced over the PA system.