Understanding Relative Pronouns: A Comprehensive Guide

Intro: If you're struggling to understand the difference between who, which, and whose, or if you're unsure when to use that, this, or those, you're not alone. Many English learners struggle with the subtleties of relative pronouns. But don't worry - in this comprehensive guide, we'll break down the meanings and uses of each relative pronoun, and provide plenty of examples to help you get a better grasp on these important parts of speech.

1. Who - This pronoun refers to a person or people.

Examples:

• Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
• Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
• Who Moved My Cheese?
• Who's On First?
• Who's Your Daddy?
• Who's the Boss?
• Who's There?

2. Which - This pronoun refers to a specific thing or group of things.

Examples:

• Which Witch is Which?
• Which Way to the Wild West?
• Which One's Pink?
• Which Way is Up?
• Which Way to the Beach?
• Which Hand?
• Which End is Up?

3. Whose - This pronoun refers to the possession of someone or something.

Examples:

• Whose Line is it Anyway?
• Whose Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?
• Whose House is This?
• Whose Shoes Are These?
• Whose Round is it Anyway?
• Whose Life is it Anyway?
• Whose Side Are You On?

4. That - This pronoun refers to a specific person or thing.

Examples:

• That Thing You Do!
• That's So Raven
• That's Entertainment
• That's My Boy
• That's the Way of the World
• That's All Folks
• That's So Gay

5. This - This pronoun refers to a person or thing nearby.

Examples:

• This is It
• This is the End
• This is the Way
• This is the Life
• This is the Moment
• This is the Place
• This is the Sound of Music

6. These - This pronoun refers to a group of people or things nearby.

Examples:

• These Are the Days
• These Are the Good Old Days
• These Are the Times
• These Are the Rules
• These Are the Things We Do for Love
• These Are the Reasons
• These Are the Hands That Built America

7. Those - This pronoun refers to a person or thing farther away.

Examples:

• Those Were the Days
• Those Were the Good Old Days
• Those Were the Times
• Those Were the Rules
• Those Were the Things We Did for Love
• Those Were the Reasons
• Those Were the Hands That Built America

By the end of this guide, you'll have a solid understanding of how to use relative pronouns correctly in your writing and speaking. So let's get started!

Test Your Knowledge 

1. "The book _______ I borrowed from the library is really interesting."
   a) that
   b) who
   c) which
   d) whose

   2. "The person _______ lost their wallet at the grocery store was really upset."
   a) that
   b) who
   c) which
   d) whose

   3. "The cat _______ chased the mouse was very agile."
   a) that
   b) who
   c) which
   d) whose

   4."The car _______ I bought last week is already having problems."
   a) that
   b) who
   c) which
   d) whose

   5. "The restaurant _______ food I always order from is closing down."
   a) that
   b) who
   c) which
   d) whose

   6. "The movie _______ we saw last night was really scary."
   a) that
   b) who
   c) which
   d) whose

   7. "The store _______ owner I always talk to is having a sale."
   a) that
   b) who
   c) which
   d) whose

   8. "The dog _______ bark woke me up this morning."
   a) that
   b) who
   c) which
   d) whose

   9. "The teacher _______ I had in high school was very strict."
   a) that
   b) who
   c) which
   d) whose

   10. "The phone _______ I left at the park was very expensive."
   a) that
   b) who
   c) which
   d) whose

   11. "The house _______ roof needs to be repaired is for sale."
   a) that
   b) who
   c) which
   d) whose

   12. "The book _______ title I can't remember is on my desk."
   a) that
   b) who
   c) which
   d) whose

   13. "The dress _______ I wore to the wedding was new."
   a) that
   b) who
   c) which
   d) whose

   14. "The dog _______ barked at the mailman was very protective."
   a) that
   b) who
   c) which
   d) whose

   15. "The car _______ engine I just replaced is running smoothly."
   a) that
   b) who
   c) which
   d) whose

   16. "The restaurant _______ food is always so delicious is my favorite."
   a) that
   b) who
   c) which
   d) whose

   17. "The movie _______ we watched on Netflix was really funny."
   a) that
   b) who
   c) which
   d) whose
   18. is my go-to place to shop."
   a) that
   b) who
   c) which
   d) whose

   19. "The teacher _______ I had in college was very inspiring."
   a) that
   b) who
   c) which
   d) whose

   20. "The phone _______ battery always lasts all day is the one I use the most."
   a) that
   b) who
   c) which
   d) whose

Answers:

1. a) that
2. b) who
3. a) that
4. a) that
5. a) that
6. a) that
7. b) who
8. a) that
9. b) who
10. a) that
11. a) that
12. a) that
13. a) that
14. a) that
15. a) that
16. a) that
17. a) that
18. b) who
19. b) who
20. a) that