1. Definition of Relative Pronouns

• Relative Pronouns: Words that introduce relative clauses and relate to a noun mentioned previously in the sentence.
• Key Relative Pronouns: Who and whom are specifically used to refer to people.

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2. The Relative Pronoun ‘Who’

• Usage: “Who” is used as a subject pronoun. It refers to the subject of the relative clause.

Examples:

• Correct: The teacher who explains the topic well is appreciated.
  (Here, “who” refers to the subject “teacher.”)
• Correct: Who is going to the concert?
  (In this question, “who” is the subject of the verb “is going.”)

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3. The Relative Pronoun ‘Whom’

• Usage: “Whom” is used as an object pronoun. It refers to the object of the verb or preposition in the relative clause.

Examples:

• Correct: The student whom I helped passed the exam.
  (Here, “whom” refers to the object “student.”)
• Correct: To whom did you give the book?
  (In this question, “whom” is the object of the verb “give.”)

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4. Distinguishing Between ‘Who’ and ‘Whom’

• Who: Used when referring to the subject of the verb in the relative clause.
• Whom: Used when referring to the object of the verb or preposition in the relative clause.

Tip: A simple way to remember is:

• If you can replace it with “he” or “she,” use “who.”
• If you can replace it with “him” or “them,” use “whom.”

Examples:

• Who (he/she): The man who called you is my uncle.
• Whom (him/them): The man whom you called is my uncle.

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5. Using ‘Who’ and ‘Whom’ in Questions

• In Questions:
• Use who when the answer would be a subject.
  • Example: Who is your favorite author? (Answer: He/She is my favorite author.)
• Use whom when the answer would be an object.
  • Example: Whom did you meet at the party? (Answer: I met him/her at the party.)

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6. Avoiding Common Errors

• Misusing ‘Who’ and ‘Whom’:
  A common error is using “who” instead of “whom” in the object position. Encourage students to check if the pronoun functions as a subject or object.

Examples of Common Errors:

• Incorrect: The woman who I saw at the store is my neighbor.
• Correct: The woman whom I saw at the store is my neighbor.