Who, Whom, That, Which Quiz, Test Your Grammar Skills and Improve Your Writing. Mastering the correct use of who, whom, that, and which is essential for writing clear, precise sentences. These relative pronouns connect ideas, introduce clauses, and clarify meaning. The Who, Whom, That, Which Quiz challenges your understanding of these words, helping you avoid common mistakes and improve your grammar skills.
What Do Who, Whom, That, and Which Mean?
Each of these relative pronouns has a specific role in sentence structure, depending on what they refer to and how they function within the sentence.
Who
Who is a subject pronoun, used when referring to people performing an action. It answers the question “who is doing something?”:
- The teacher who explained the lesson was very clear. (Who explained? The teacher.)
- Do you know who called earlier? (Who called? Someone did.)
Whom
Whom is an object pronoun, used when referring to the person receiving an action. It answers the question “whom is something being done to?”:
- The student whom the teacher praised was excited. (Who received praise? The student.)
- To whom should I address the letter? (Who is receiving the letter?)
Tip: If you can replace the word with him or her, use whom.
That
That introduces essential clauses and refers to people, animals, or things. It provides information crucial to understanding the sentence:
- The book that she recommended was fantastic. (Essential detail: which book?)
- He’s the person that won the award. (Essential detail: which person?)
In restrictive clauses, that emphasizes necessary information.
Which
Which introduces non-essential clauses, usually referring to things or animals. It adds extra information but doesn’t change the sentence’s core meaning:
- The book, which I borrowed from the library, was fascinating. (Extra detail about the book.)
- His house, which is near the beach, is beautiful. (The house remains identifiable without this detail.)
Tip: Non-essential clauses with which are often set off by commas.
Common Challenges and Mistakes
Many learners confuse who and whom, especially in complex sentences:
- Incorrect: Who did you give the book to? (Should be “whom.”)
- Correct: Whom did you give the book to?
Confusion also arises between that and which:
- Incorrect: The car, that is red, is mine. (Use “which” for non-essential clauses.)
- Correct: The car, which is red, is mine.
Tips for Mastering Who, Whom, That, and Which
To confidently choose the right pronoun, follow these strategies:
- Who vs. Whom: or him/her (object).
- That vs. Which: Use that for essential information and which for extra details.
- Check sentence flow: Remove the clause and see if the core sentence remains clear.
Take the Who, Whom, That, Which Quiz Now!
Are you ready to test your understanding? The Who, Whom, That, Which Quiz offers an interactive way to reinforce your grammar skills. Identify common mistakes, practice proper usage, and build confidence in your writing. Start the quiz now and master the power of relative pronouns!
Who Whom That Which – FAQ
What is the difference between who and whom?
Who is used as a subject in a sentence, referring to the person performing the action. Whom serves as an object, indicating the person receiving the action. For example, Who called you? and To whom did you speak?
When should that be used instead of which?
That is typically used in restrictive clauses, essential to the sentence’s meaning. For instance, The book that you lent me was fascinating. Here, that specifies which book. In contrast, which introduces non-restrictive clauses, adding extra information: The book, which was on the table, is now missing. Note the commas with which.
Can whom still be used in modern English?
Yes, whom can still be used and is considered grammatically correct. However, its usage is declining in informal contexts. Many native speakers opt for who in casual speech. In formal writing, though, using whom accurately can demonstrate a strong command of English grammar.
Why is understanding these distinctions important?
Understanding these distinctions enhances clarity and precision in communication. Using the correct relative pronouns helps convey your message effectively and professionally. This knowledge is particularly valuable in academic writing, professional correspondence, and when aiming for linguistic accuracy.