We all know the word “which” as a question word. Here in this article, we will get to know various facts about the word “which” as a pronoun.
All words that are utilized as substitutions, replacements or referrals for the naming words (nouns) can be regarded as a pronouns. The word “which” too functions as a pronoun when it is substituting, replacing or is referring back to a noun.
This article will clearly detail about when the word “which” can be regarded as an interrogative pronoun and as a relative pronoun.
When is “which” a pronoun?
We already know that the word “which” can function as a pronoun. Here let us find out when exactly (at what places) “which” acts as a pronoun.
The table below lists the situations when “which” functions as a pronoun.
| Situations When “Which” Acts As A Pronoun | Examples |
| 1. When used to ask questions in order to find out what one or what ones (nouns) is being referred or mentioned | Which of these paintings is yours? |
| 2. When used to refer or relate back to a naming word (noun) that is already mentioned. | This is their ancestral house, which they sold last month. |
When is “which” an interrogative pronoun?
“Which” is a pronoun, but at what places does it function as an interrogative pronoun. Here we shall discuss about the usage of “which” as an interrogative pronoun.
The word “which” is an interrogative pronoun when it is used for asking questions. While it used for the questioning, the word “which” questions what one or what ones (nouns) is being referred to or indicated. “Which” is used to question both people and objects with limited number.
Example: Which of the three dresses can I wear to the party today?
In this sentence, the word “which” is utilized as an interrogative pronoun since it is used to question what one of the three dresses can “I”, wear for the party today. The Interrogative pronoun here is used to question the noun “dresses” (object) with the limited number three.
Examples of “which” as an interrogative pronoun
Let us understand more about the usage of “which” as an interrogative pronoun with the aid of various examples.
The table below consists of examples where the word “which” is used as an interrogative pronoun and its related explanations.
| Examples | Explanations |
| 1. Which of these two ways is a shortcut to reach the railway station? | In this sentence, the word “which” is used an interrogative pronoun. Here, the interrogative pronoun “which” is used for the purpose of questioning in order to find out what way (noun) of the two ways is a shortcut to the railway station. |
| 2. Which of you like to have black tea? | In this sentence, the word “which” is functioning as an interrogative pronoun. Here, the interrogative pronoun “which” is used for the purpose of questioning in order to find out who (noun – persons) among the people would like to have black tea. |
| 3. Which is your classroom? | The word “which” is taking up the role of an interrogative pronoun in this sentence. Here, the interrogative pronoun “which” is used for the purpose of asking questions in order to find out what classroom (noun – place) belongs to “you”. |
| 4. Which of the shirts would you like to buy for Sameer? | In this sentence, the word “which” is utilized as an interrogative pronoun. Here, the interrogative pronoun “which” is utilized for the purpose of questioning. It is used in order to find out what shirt (noun – object/ thing) among the shirts would “you” like to buy for Sameer. |
| 5. Which of these shops sells the best Continental food? | In this sentence, the word “which” is an interrogative pronoun. Here, the interrogative pronoun “which” is used for the purpose of questioning. It is utilized in order to find out what shop (noun – a place) among these shops sells the best continental food. |
| 6. Which of the boys did not still submit their projects and assignments? | Here, the word “which” is functioning as an interrogative pronoun. In this sentence, the interrogative pronoun “which” is used for the purpose of questioning in order to find out who (noun – person) among the boys have still not submitted their projects and assignments. |
| 7. Which is prettier, the blue gown or the pink gown? | Here, the word “which” is functioning as an interrogative pronoun. In this sentence, the interrogative pronoun “which” is used for the purpose of questioning in order to find out what gown (noun – a thing) among the blue gown and the pink gown is prettier. |
When is “which” a relative pronoun?
We have come to know that “which” can function as an interrogative pronoun. Here we will discuss when “which” takes up the role of a relative pronoun.
The word “which” is a relative pronoun when it is referring back to a naming word (noun) that is mentioned prior. A relative pronoun is nothing but a type of pronoun that refers or relates to a naming word mentioned before in the sentence (also known as antecedent), thereby connecting two clauses.
Example: This is the cycle which my father gifted.
In the above sentence, the word “which” is a relative pronoun. It is a relative pronoun since, it is referring back to a naming word (noun) “cycle” (a thing), that is already mentioned prior in the sentence, thereby connecting the relative clause with the main clause of the sentence.
Examples of “which” as a relative pronoun
Let us understand better about the usage of “which” as a relative pronoun with the help of a few examples.
The table below lists a few examples where the word “which” is used as a relative pronoun.
| Examples | Clauses | Usage of Relative Pronoun “Which” |
| 1. Rupali got the ticket for the movie which was released last week. | Main Clause: Rupali got the ticket for the movie Relative Clause (Subordinate Clause): which was released last week | In this sentence, the word “which” is used as a relative pronoun. The relative pronoun “which” relates back to the noun “movie” – a thing (antecedent), thereby aiding to connect the relative clause with the main clause. |
| 2. The dog, which Sonali bought today, is a Labrador. | Main Clause: the dog is a Labrador Relative Clause (Subordinate Clause): which Sonali bought today | In this sentence, the word “which” is functioning as a relative pronoun. Here, the relative pronoun “which” refers back to the noun “dog” – an animal (antecedent of “which”), thereby connecting the relative clause with the main clause. |
| 3. The lesson, which Mr. Sinha taught in the class, was very easy. | Main Clause: the lesson was very easy Relative Clause (Subordinate Clause): which Mr. Sinha taught in the class | In this sentence, the word “which” is taking up the role of a relative pronoun. Here, the relative pronoun “which” refers back to the noun “lesson” – a thing (antecedent of “which”), thereby joining the relative clause with the main clause. |
| 4. This is the toy which Vihaan gifted me on my birthday. | Main Clause: this is the toy Relative Clause (Subordinate Clause): which Vihaan gifted me on my birthday | Here, the word “which” is performing the function of a relative pronoun. In this sentence, the relative pronoun “which” relates back to the noun “toy” – a thing (antecedent of “which”), thereby joining the relative clause and the principal clause into a single sentence. |
| 5. The new phone, which I got yesterday, is quite expensive. | Main Clause: the new phone is quite expensive Relative Clause (Subordinate Clause): which I got yesterday | Here, the word “which” is performing the function of a relative pronoun. In this sentence, the relative pronoun “which” relates back to the noun “phone” – a thing (antecedent of “which”), thereby linking the relative clause and the principal clause into a single sentence. |
| 6. That shop on the second street, which sells sweets, belongs to my uncle. | Main Clause: that shop on the second street belongs to my uncle Relative Clause (Subordinate Clause): which sells sweets | In this sentence, the word “which” is taking up the role of a relative pronoun. Here, the relative pronoun “which” relates back to the noun “shop” – a place (antecedent of “which”), thereby joining the relative clause with the main clause to form a single sentence. |
| 7. This is the class which is very noisy. | Main Clause: this is the class Relative Clause (Subordinate Clause): which is very noisy | In this sentence, the word “which” is used as a relative pronoun. The relative pronoun “which” relates back to the noun “class” – a collective noun for students (antecedent), thereby aiding to join the relative clause with the main clause. |
Is “which” an object pronoun?
Object pronoun is a type of pronoun that is classified based on the position of the pronoun in a sentence. Let us here find out if “which” can be an object pronoun.
The pronoun “which” can never be an object pronoun. An object pronoun is utilized as a substitute for the noun that is the receiver of an activity or an action. Only personal pronouns can be object pronouns. Me, us, you, her, him, it, and them are the only object pronouns in English language.
Example: On Teacher’s Day, the students arranged a sumptuous lunch for us.
In the above sentence, the object pronoun utilized is “us”. “Us” is regarded as an object pronoun since it is replacing the noun which is the object of the sentence. The naming word “us” is replacing is not the performer of the action but is the receiver of the action.
No other pronouns other than personal pronouns can function as object pronouns. Thus, “which” is not an object pronoun.
Is “which” an indefinite pronoun?
Indefinite pronoun is one of the many types of pronouns in English language. Now we shall get to know if “which” can be an indefinite pronoun.
“Which” is definitely not an indefinite pronoun. Pronouns that substitute naming words (nouns) that are not very specific or particular are known as indefinite pronouns. The pronoun “which” is used in order to find out the specific noun that it is referring to, thus it is not an indefinite pronoun.
Example: Somebody has not returned the apparatus.
In this sentence, “somebody” is the indefinite pronoun since it is replacing a noun which is general (not specific).
When is “which” not considered as pronoun?
Apart from functioning as pronouns, the word “which” can also function as yet another part of speech. Let us here get to know when “which” is not considered as a pronoun.
The word, “which” is not considered as a pronoun when it is modifying the naming words instead of substituting them. “Which” can also function as an interrogative adjective when it is utilized along with a noun in order to ask a question.
Example: Which path shall we choose?
In this sentence, the word “which” is not functioning as an interrogative pronoun but is taking up the role of an interrogative adjective. Instead of replacing the noun “path”, the word “which” is used along with the naming word “path” in order to ask a question, thus making it an interrogative adjective.
Conclusion
This article thus gives us a detailed account on the how, when and why the word “which” is used as an interrogative pronoun and as a relative pronoun.
Hi… I am Sowndharya Jagadeeswaran, a university rank holder in M.A. English Literature. I have also done my master’s in Business Administration. Inquisitive as I am, my interest in action-oriented research helped me publish research papers in reputed journals. Now, as a career, I am an instructor where I teach young and adorable students the intricate technicalities of Public Speaking and Creative Writing. I also enjoy writing articles on topics I specialize and research in.
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