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Using who, whom, whose, which and that correctly.
Practice: build the sentences →Relative pronouns introduce relative clauses and connect them to the noun or noun phrase they modify.
The main relative pronouns are who, whom, whose, which, and that. Their choice depends on meaning, grammatical role, and register.
The woman who lives next door is a doctor.
Женщина, которая живёт по соседству, врач.
The relative pronoun "who" introduces the clause "who lives next door".
The book which I bought is on the table.
Книга, которую я купил, на столе.
The relative pronoun "which" introduces the clause "which I bought".
The man whose car was stolen called the police.
Мужчина, чью машину украли, позвонил в полицию.
The relative pronoun "whose" introduces the clause "whose car was stolen".
The film that we watched was excellent.
Фильм, который мы смотрели, был отличным.
The relative pronoun "that" introduces the clause "that we watched".
The person whom I met was very helpful.
Человек, которого я встретил, был очень полезен.
The relative pronoun "whom" introduces the clause "whom I met".
Who is commonly used to refer to people in relative clauses.
For example, The woman who lives next door is a doctor.
The woman who lives next door is a doctor.
Женщина, которая живёт по соседству, врач.
Who refers to the person "woman" in the clause "who lives next door".
The man who called me left a message.
Мужчина, который мне звонил, оставил сообщение.
Who refers to the person "man" in the clause "who called me".
The girl who won the prize is my sister.
Девочка, которая выиграла приз, моя сестра.
Who refers to the person "girl" in the clause "who won the prize".
The teacher who helped me was very kind.
Учитель, который мне помог, был очень добрым.
Who refers to the person "teacher" in the clause "who helped me".
The people who work here are friendly.
Люди, которые здесь работают, дружелюбные.
Who refers to the people in the clause "who work here".
Who functions as the subject of a relative clause when it represents the person performing the action.
For example, The man who called me left a message.
The man who called me left a message.
Мужчина, который мне звонил, оставил сообщение.
In the clause "who called me", who is the subject of called.
The woman who lives next door is a doctor.
Женщина, которая живёт по соседству, врач.
In the clause "who lives next door", who is the subject of lives.
The girl who won the prize is my sister.
Девочка, которая выиграла приз, моя сестра.
In the clause "who won the prize", who is the subject of won.
The teacher who helped me was very kind.
Учитель, который мне помог, был очень добрым.
In the clause "who helped me", who is the subject of helped.
The people who work here are friendly.
Люди, которые здесь работают, дружелюбные.
In the clause "who work here", who is the subject of work.
Who can also function as the object of a relative clause in common modern English.
For example, The person who I met yesterday was very helpful.
The person who I met yesterday was very helpful.
Человек, которого я встретил вчера, был очень полезен.
In the clause "who I met yesterday", who is the object of met; I is the subject.
The woman who you called is my aunt.
Женщина, которой ты звонил, моя тётя.
In the clause "who you called", who is the object of called.
The student who the teacher praised was happy.
Студент, которого учитель похвалил, был счастлив.
In the clause "who the teacher praised", who is the object of praised.
The doctor who we saw yesterday was helpful.
Врач, которого мы видели вчера, был полезен.
In the clause "who we saw yesterday", who is the object of saw.
The person who they invited is my friend.
Человек, которого они пригласили, мой друг.
In the clause "who they invited", who is the object of invited.
Whom is traditionally used as the object form of who when referring to people.
For example, The person whom I met yesterday was very helpful.
The person whom I met yesterday was very helpful.
Человек, которого я встретил вчера, был очень полезен.
Whom is the object in the clause "whom I met yesterday".
The woman whom you called is my aunt.
Женщина, которой ты звонил, моя тётя.
Whom is the object in the clause "whom you called".
The doctor whom we saw yesterday was helpful.
Врач, которого мы видели вчера, был полезен.
Whom is the object in the clause "whom we saw yesterday".
The student whom the teacher praised was happy.
Студент, которого учитель похвалил, был счастлив.
Whom is the object in the clause "whom the teacher praised".
The person whom they invited is my friend.
Человек, которого они пригласили, мой друг.
Whom is the object in the clause "whom they invited".
Who is much more common than whom in ordinary modern English, while whom is more common in formal writing and after prepositions.
Compare The person who I spoke to with The person to whom I spoke.
The person who I spoke to was helpful.
Человек, с которым я говорил, был полезен.
Who is common in everyday English in the clause "who I spoke to".
The person to whom I spoke was helpful.
Человек, с которым я говорил, был полезен.
Whom is more formal after a preposition in "to whom I spoke".
The woman who you called is my aunt.
Женщина, которой ты звонил, моя тётя.
Who is very common in ordinary modern English in "who you called".
The woman whom you called is my aunt.
Женщина, которой ты звонил, моя тётя.
Whom is more formal in "whom you called".
The man who I met was friendly.
Мужчина, которого я встретил, был дружелюбным.
Who is common in the clause "who I met".
Which is used primarily for things and animals in relative clauses.
For example, The car which I bought is very reliable.
The car which I bought is very reliable.
Машина, которую я купил, очень надёжная.
Which refers to the thing "car" in the clause "which I bought".
The book which is on the table is mine.
Книга, которая на столе, моя.
Which refers to the thing "book" in the clause "which is on the table".
The dog which lives next door is friendly.
Собака, которая живёт по соседству, дружелюбная.
Which can refer to an animal in the clause "which lives next door".
The film which we watched was excellent.
Фильм, который мы смотрели, был отличным.
Which refers to the thing "film" in the clause "which we watched".
The house which has a red door is mine.
Дом, у которого красная дверь, мой.
Which refers to the thing "house" in the clause "which has a red door".
Which can function as the subject of a relative clause referring to a thing or animal.
For example, The car which caused the accident was damaged.
The car which caused the accident was damaged.
Машина, которая вызвала аварию, была повреждена.
In the clause "which caused the accident", which is the subject of caused.
The book which is on the table is mine.
Книга, которая на столе, моя.
In the clause "which is on the table", which is the subject of is.
The dog which lives next door is friendly.
Собака, которая живёт по соседству, дружелюбная.
In the clause "which lives next door", which is the subject of lives.
The train which arrives at six is usually crowded.
Поезд, который прибывает в шесть, обычно переполнен.
In the clause "which arrives at six", which is the subject of arrives.
The house which has a red door is mine.
Дом, у которого красная дверь, мой.
In the clause "which has a red door", which is the subject of has.
Which can function as the object of a relative clause referring to a thing or animal.
For example, The book which I bought was expensive.
The book which I bought was expensive.
Книга, которую я купил, была дорогой.
In the clause "which I bought", which is the object of bought.
The car which she drives is very old.
Машина, которую она водит, очень старая.
In the clause "which she drives", which is the object of drives.
The film which we watched was excellent.
Фильм, который мы смотрели, был отличным.
In the clause "which we watched", which is the object of watched.
The song which he sang was beautiful.
Песня, которую он спел, была красивой.
In the clause "which he sang", which is the object of sang.
The house which they bought is large.
Дом, который они купили, большой.
In the clause "which they bought", which is the object of bought.
That can introduce defining relative clauses referring to people, animals, or things.
For example, The person that I met was helpful and The book that you recommended was excellent.
The person that I met was helpful.
Человек, которого я встретил, был полезен.
That refers to a person in the defining clause "that I met".
The book that you recommended was excellent.
Книга, которую ты рекомендовал, была отличной.
That refers to a thing in the defining clause "that you recommended".
The dog that lives next door is friendly.
Собака, которая живёт по соседству, дружелюбная.
That refers to an animal in the defining clause "that lives next door".
The car that is parked outside is mine.
Машина, которая припаркована снаружи, моя.
That refers to a thing in the defining clause "that is parked outside".
The woman that called yesterday left a message.
Женщина, которая звонила вчера, оставила сообщение.
That refers to a person in the defining clause "that called yesterday".
That can function as the subject of a defining relative clause.
For example, The dog that lives next door is very friendly.
The dog that lives next door is very friendly.
Собака, которая живёт по соседству, очень дружелюбная.
In the clause "that lives next door", that is the subject of lives.
The train that arrives at six is usually crowded.
Поезд, который прибывает в шесть, обычно переполнен.
In the clause "that arrives at six", that is the subject of arrives.
The car that caused the accident was damaged.
Машина, которая вызвала аварию, была повреждена.
In the clause "that caused the accident", that is the subject of caused.
The book that is on the table is mine.
Книга, которая на столе, моя.
In the clause "that is on the table", that is the subject of is.
The person that called you is my uncle.
Человек, который тебе звонил, мой дядя.
In the clause "that called you", that is the subject of called.
That can function as the object of a defining relative clause.
For example, The movie that we watched was excellent.
The movie that we watched was excellent.
Фильм, который мы смотрели, был отличным.
In the clause "that we watched", that is the object of watched.
The book that I bought is on the table.
Книга, которую я купил, на столе.
In the clause "that I bought", that is the object of bought.
The car that she drives is very old.
Машина, которую она водит, очень старая.
In the clause "that she drives", that is the object of drives.
The song that he sang was beautiful.
Песня, которую он спел, была красивой.
In the clause "that he sang", that is the object of sang.
The house that they bought is large.
Дом, который они купили, большой.
In the clause "that they bought", that is the object of bought.
In defining relative clauses, both that and which can commonly refer to things, although that is especially common in informal and neutral English.
For example, The book that I bought and The book which I bought are both standard defining constructions.
The book that I bought is on the table.
Книга, которую я купил, на столе.
That is common in informal and neutral English in "that I bought".
The book which I bought is on the table.
Книга, которую я купил, на столе.
Which is also standard in defining clauses like "which I bought".
The car that she drives is very old.
Машина, которую она водит, очень старая.
That is common in defining clauses such as "that she drives".
The car which she drives is very old.
Машина, которую она водит, очень старая.
Which is also possible in defining clauses like "which she drives".
The film that we watched was excellent.
Фильм, который мы смотрели, был отличным.
That is common in defining clauses such as "that we watched".
That can refer to people in defining relative clauses, although who is generally more natural and common for people.
For example, The woman who called me and The woman that called me are both possible in defining contexts.
The woman who called me left a message.
Женщина, которая мне звонила, оставила сообщение.
Who is generally more natural for people in "who called me".
The woman that called me left a message.
Женщина, которая мне звонила, оставила сообщение.
That is also possible for people in defining clauses like "that called me".
The man who I met was friendly.
Мужчина, которого я встретил, был дружелюбным.
Who is common for people in "who I met".
The man that I met was friendly.
Мужчина, которого я встретил, был дружелюбным.
That can refer to people in defining clauses such as "that I met".
The person who helped me was very kind.
Человек, который мне помог, был очень добрым.
Who is generally more natural for people in "who helped me".
That is not normally used to introduce non-defining relative clauses.
Use who, whom, whose, or which instead when the clause is separated by commas.
My car, which is five years old, still works well.
Моя машина, которой пять лет, всё ещё хорошо работает.
Use which, not that, in the non-defining clause "which is five years old".
My sister, who lives in Paris, is a doctor.
Моя сестра, которая живёт в Париже, врач.
Use who, not that, in the non-defining clause "who lives in Paris".
The house, which we bought last year, needs repairs.
Дом, который мы купили в прошлом году, нуждается в ремонте.
The non-defining clause "which we bought last year" uses which, not that.
John, who is my best friend, is coming to dinner.
Джон, который мой лучший друг, приходит на ужин.
Use who, not that, in the non-defining clause "who is my best friend".
The book, which I read last week, was fascinating.
Книга, которую я прочитал на прошлой неделе, была увлекательной.
The non-defining clause "which I read last week" requires which, not that.
Whose introduces a relative clause expressing possession or association with a person, animal, organization, or sometimes thing.
For example, The woman whose car was stolen called the police.
The woman whose car was stolen called the police.
Женщина, чью машину украли, позвонила в полицию.
Whose shows possession in the clause "whose car was stolen".
The man whose son plays football is my neighbour.
Мужчина, чей сын играет в футбол, мой сосед.
Whose shows possession in "whose son plays football".
The girl whose bag is on the chair is my sister.
Девочка, чья сумка на стуле, моя сестра.
Whose shows possession in "whose bag is on the chair".
The dog whose tail is short is mine.
Собака, чей хвост короткий, моя.
Whose can refer to animals in "whose tail is short".
The company whose offices are in London is hiring.
Компания, чьи офисы в Лондоне, нанимает сотрудников.
Whose can refer to organizations in "whose offices are in London".
Whose can be used with things and organizations as well as people, especially when expressing an attribute or part associated with them.
For example, A company whose products are popular can expand quickly.
A company whose products are popular can expand quickly.
Компания, чьи продукты популярны, может быстро расширяться.
Whose refers to a thing (company) in "whose products are popular".
The house whose roof is red is very old.
Дом, чья крыша красная, очень старый.
Whose can refer to a thing (house) in "whose roof is red".
This tree, whose branches are very old, needs pruning.
Это дерево, чьи ветви очень старые, нуждается в обрезке.
Whose refers to a thing (tree) in "whose branches are very old".
The organization whose mission is to help children needs donations.
Организация, чья миссия — помогать детям, нуждается в пожертвованиях.
Whose refers to an organization in "whose mission is to help children".
The city whose history spans centuries attracts many tourists.
Город, чья история насчитывает века, привлекает многих туристов.
Whose refers to a thing (city) in "whose history spans centuries".
Whose is generally more natural than of which for expressing possession in many modern contexts, while of which remains possible in formal writing.
For example, a company whose offices are in London can also be expressed more formally as a company, the offices of which are in London.
A company whose offices are in London is expanding.
Компания, чьи офисы в Лондоне, расширяется.
Whose is natural in modern English in "whose offices are in London".
A company, the offices of which are in London, is expanding.
Компания, офисы которой находятся в Лондоне, расширяется.
Of which is more formal in "the offices of which are in London".
The house whose roof is red is very old.
Дом, чья крыша красная, очень старый.
Whose is generally more natural in "whose roof is red".
The house, the roof of which is red, is very old.
Дом, крыша которого красная, очень старый.
Of which is possible in formal writing in "the roof of which is red".
The car whose engine is damaged is in the garage.
Машина, чей двигатель повреждён, в гараже.
Whose is natural in "whose engine is damaged".
The grammatical role of the relative pronoun determines whether another subject is needed after it.
Compare The woman who lives here with The woman who I met yesterday.
The woman who lives here is a doctor.
Женщина, которая здесь живёт, врач.
Who is the subject in "who lives here", so no other subject appears after it.
The woman who I met yesterday is a doctor.
Женщина, которую я встретил вчера, врач.
Who is the object in "who I met yesterday", so I appears as the subject.
The car which caused the accident was damaged.
Машина, которая вызвала аварию, была повреждена.
Which is the subject in "which caused the accident".
The car which I bought was damaged.
Машина, которую я купил, была повреждена.
Which is the object in "which I bought", so I is the subject.
The person that called you left a message.
Человек, который тебе звонил, оставил сообщение.
That is the subject in "that called you".
Relative pronouns can follow prepositions, especially in formal English.
For example, The person to whom I spoke and The system on which the software runs.
The person to whom I spoke was helpful.
Человек, с которым я говорил, был полезен.
The relative pronoun follows the preposition in "to whom I spoke".
The system on which the software runs is outdated.
Система, на которой работает программное обеспечение, устарела.
The relative pronoun follows the preposition in "on which the software runs".
The colleague with whom I worked has moved abroad.
Коллега, с которым я работал, переехал за границу.
The relative pronoun follows the preposition in "with whom I worked".
The book in which I found the information is rare.
Книга, в которой я нашёл информацию, редкая.
The relative pronoun follows the preposition in "in which I found the information".
The candidate for whom I voted won the election.
Кандидат, за которого я голосовал, победил на выборах.
The relative pronoun follows the preposition in "for whom I voted".
Whoever refers to any person who meets the condition expressed by the relative clause.
For example, Whoever finishes first can leave early.
Whoever finishes first can leave early.
Кто закончит первым, может уйти раньше.
Whoever refers to any person who meets the condition in "whoever finishes first".
Whoever wants to join should sign up.
Кто хочет присоединиться, должен записаться.
Whoever refers to any person in "whoever wants to join".
Whoever calls first will get the prize.
Кто первым позвонит, получит приз.
Whoever refers to any person in "whoever calls first".
Whoever wrote this letter must have known the truth.
Кто написал это письмо, должно быть, знал правду.
Whoever refers to any person in "whoever wrote this letter".
Whoever arrives late will miss the beginning.
Кто придёт поздно, пропустит начало.
Whoever refers to any person in "whoever arrives late".
Whatever refers to anything of any kind or to any thing or situation that satisfies the implied condition.
For example, Take whatever you need.
Take whatever you need.
Возьми всё, что тебе нужно.
Whatever refers to anything in "whatever you need".
Do whatever makes you happy.
Делай то, что делает тебя счастливым.
Whatever refers to anything in "whatever makes you happy".
Whatever happens, we will stay together.
Что бы ни случилось, мы останемся вместе.
Whatever refers to any situation in "whatever happens".
She can choose whatever she likes.
Она может выбрать всё, что ей нравится.
Whatever refers to anything in "whatever she likes".
Whatever you decide is fine with me.
Что бы ты ни решил, меня это устраивает.
Whatever refers to anything in "whatever you decide".
Whichever refers to any one of a limited or known set of alternatives.
For example, Choose whichever option you prefer.
Choose whichever option you prefer.
Выбери любой вариант, который тебе больше нравится.
Whichever refers to any one of a limited set in "whichever option you prefer".
Take whichever bus comes first.
Садись на любой автобус, который придёт первым.
Whichever refers to one of a known set in "whichever bus comes first".
Whichever path you take, you will learn something.
Какой бы путь ты ни выбрал, ты чему-то научишься.
Whichever refers to one of a set in "whichever path you take".
You can sit whichever seat you like.
Ты можешь сесть на любое место, которое тебе нравится.
Whichever refers to one of a limited set in "whichever seat you like".
Whichever team wins will play in the final.
Какая бы команда ни победила, она будет играть в финале.
Whichever refers to one of a set in "whichever team wins".
What can introduce a fused relative construction meaning something that or the thing that.
For example, I understand what you mean means approximately I understand the thing that you mean.
I understand what you mean.
Я понимаю, что ты имеешь в виду.
What means "the thing that" in "what you mean".
She told me what she wanted.
Она сказала мне, что хотела.
What means "the thing that" in "what she wanted".
I know what happened.
Я знаю, что случилось.
What means "the thing that" in "what happened".
Tell me what you need.
Скажи мне, что тебе нужно.
What means "the thing that" in "what you need".
He explained what the problem was.
Он объяснил, в чём была проблема.
What means "the thing that" in "what the problem was".
Relative pronouns can occur after expressions such as all, some, none, many, and the only one.
For example, All those who applied were interviewed and The only person who complained received a refund.
All those who applied were interviewed.
Все, кто подал заявку, были приглашены на собеседование.
Who follows the quantifier "all those" in "who applied".
The only person who complained received a refund.
Единственный человек, который пожаловался, получил возврат.
Who follows "the only person" in "who complained".
Some of the students who passed were awarded prizes.
Некоторые из студентов, которые сдали, получили призы.
Who follows "some of the students" in "who passed".
None of the people who came were late.
Никто из людей, которые пришли, не опоздал.
Who follows "none of the people" in "who came".
Many of the books that were sold were rare.
Многие из книг, которые были проданы, были редкими.
That follows "many of the books" in "that were sold".
Whom is especially common when a preposition directly precedes the relative pronoun in formal English.
For example, The colleague with whom I worked has moved abroad.
The colleague with whom I worked has moved abroad.
Коллега, с которым я работал, переехал за границу.
Whom follows the preposition "with" in "with whom I worked".
The person to whom I spoke was helpful.
Человек, с которым я говорил, был полезен.
Whom follows the preposition "to" in "to whom I spoke".
The candidate for whom I voted won.
Кандидат, за которого я голосовал, победил.
Whom follows the preposition "for" in "for whom I voted".
The professor from whom I learned a lot retired.
Профессор, у которого я многому научился, вышел на пенсию.
Whom follows the preposition "from" in "from whom I learned a lot".
The client to whom we sent the invoice paid promptly.
Клиент, которому мы отправили счёт, заплатил promptly.
Whom follows the preposition "to" in "to whom we sent the invoice".
The relative pronoun itself does not determine the verb form independently; agreement follows its grammatical role and the antecedent or meaning expressed by the clause.
For example, The people who live here and The person who lives here.
The people who live here are friendly.
Люди, которые здесь живут, дружелюбные.
In "who live here", the verb live agrees with who, which refers to people.
The person who lives here is friendly.
Человек, который здесь живёт, дружелюбный.
In "who lives here", the verb lives agrees with who, which refers to one person.
The students who passed the test received certificates.
Студенты, которые сдали тест, получили сертификаты.
In "who passed the test", the verb passed agrees with who, which refers to students.
The student who passed the test received a certificate.
Студент, который сдал тест, получил сертификат.
In "who passed the test", the verb passed agrees with who, which refers to one student.
The cars which are parked outside are mine.
Машины, которые припаркованы снаружи, мои.
In "which are parked outside", the verb are agrees with which, which refers to cars.
Choose a relative pronoun according to whether the antecedent is a person, thing, possession, and whether the pronoun is functioning as subject or object.
For example, who for people, which for things, whose for possession, and that in many defining clauses.
The woman who lives next door is a doctor.
Женщина, которая живёт по соседству, врач.
Who is used for a person in "who lives next door".
The book which I bought is on the table.
Книга, которую я купил, на столе.
Which is used for a thing in "which I bought".
The man whose car was stolen called the police.
Мужчина, чью машину украли, позвонил в полицию.
Whose is used for possession in "whose car was stolen".
The film that we watched was excellent.
Фильм, который мы смотрели, был отличным.
That is used in a defining clause in "that we watched".
The person whom I met was helpful.
Человек, которого я встретил, был полезен.
Whom is used as an object in "whom I met".
Relative-pronoun choices vary according to register, with whom and preposition + whom or which being more formal than many conversational alternatives.
For example, The person to whom I spoke is formal, while The person I spoke to is common in everyday English.
The person to whom I spoke is formal.
Человек, с которым я говорил, формально.
Preposition + whom is formal in "to whom I spoke".
The person I spoke to is common in everyday English.
Человек, с которым я говорил, обычно в повседневном английском.
The pronoun is omitted and the preposition is at the end in "I spoke to".
The person whom I spoke to is less formal than "to whom".
Человек, с которым я говорил, менее формально, чем "to whom".
Whom is used with the preposition at the end in "whom I spoke to".
The person who I spoke to is very common in conversation.
Человек, с которым я говорил, очень распространено в разговоре.
Who is common in conversation in "who I spoke to".
The company for which she works is expanding.
Компания, на которую она работает, расширяется.
Preposition + which is formal in "for which she works".
Use the relative pronoun that matches the antecedent, grammatical role, and type of relative clause.
Common mistakes include using that in non-defining clauses, confusing who and whom in formal writing, using which for people, confusing whose with who, and using the wrong pronoun after a preposition.
My car, which is five years old, still works well.
Моя машина, которой пять лет, всё ещё хорошо работает.
Use which, not that, in the non-defining clause "which is five years old".
The person to whom I spoke was helpful.
Человек, с которым я говорил, был полезен.
Use whom after a preposition in formal English in "to whom I spoke".
The woman who lives next door is a doctor.
Женщина, которая живёт по соседству, врач.
Use who for a person in "who lives next door".
The man whose car was stolen called the police.
Мужчина, чью машину украли, позвонил в полицию.
Use whose for possession in "whose car was stolen".
The book that I bought is on the table.
Книга, которую я купил, на столе.
Use that in a defining clause like "that I bought"; do not use that in non-defining clauses.