The word “who” can perform the functions of more than one group of pronouns. Let us learn facts regarding “who” as a relative pronoun.
The word “who” is no doubt a relative pronoun as it introduces a dependent clause to the main clause, as an ideal relative pronoun does. The relative pronoun “who” provides information about a person who has been mentioned in the main clause.
Now, we will learn five facts regarding the use of the relative pronoun “who.”
When is “who” a relative pronoun?
There are certain rules by which a pronoun needs to be fulfilled to be called a relative pronoun. Let us check when the word “who” can perform the role of a relative pronoun.
The word “who” can be marked as a “relative pronoun” when it connects any dependent clause to the main independent clause to provide information about any person. Now we will learn two features of the relative pronoun “who”.
| Features of the Relative Pronoun “Who” | Example | Explanation |
| 1.The dependent clause connected by the relative pronoun “who” can also be marked as an “adjective clause” because the respective dependent clause is used to provide detailed information about the person about whom the main clause is discussing. | There is Pijush who is not only brother of Renu but also best friend of her. | The word “who” can certainly be marked as a “relative pronoun” as it introduces the dependent clause “is not only brother of Renu but also best friend of her” with the main clause “There is Pijush” while providing meaning about the person “Minu”. |
| 2.The person about whom the relative pronoun “who” discusses is most of the time the “subject” of the main independent clause. | She is Minu, who is famous for her chocolate cake manufacturing. | The relative pronoun “who” is providing information about the proper noun “Minu,” who is the subject of the sentence. |
Examples of “who” as a relative pronoun-
Now we will go through seven sentences that are framed with the relative pronoun “who”.
| Example | Explanation |
| 1. The player who scored a century in yesterday’s match is not known to us. | The word “who” can certainly be marked as a “relative pronoun” as it provides information about the subject “the player” by connecting the dependent clause “scored a century in yesterday’s match is not known to us”. |
| 2. The girl who always plays drums in the orchestra is going to play music in the cinema. | The word “who” can certainly be marked as a “relative pronoun” as it is providing information about the subject “the girl” by connecting the dependent clause “always plays drums in the orchestra, is going to play music in the cinema”. |
| 3. The lady who is singing Rabindra Sangeet is not an Indian. | The word “who” can certainly be marked as a “relative pronoun” as it is providing information about the subject “the lady” by connecting the dependent clause “is singing Rabindra Sangeet is not an Indian”. |
| 4. The person who is selling street food is famous for his French rolls. | The word “who” can certainly be marked as a “relative pronoun” as it provides information about the subject “the person” by connecting the dependent clause “is selling street food is famous for his French rolls”. |
| 5. The woman who is walking with her child is suffering from an economic crisis since her husband died. | The word “who” can certainly be marked as a “relative pronoun” as it provides information about the subject “the woman” by connecting the dependent clause “is walking with her child is suffering from an economic crisis since her husband died”. |
| 6. The child who is playing with mud lives next door. | The word “who” can certainly be marked as a “relative pronoun” as it is providing information about the subject “the child” by connecting the dependent clause “is playing with mud lives next door”. |
Is “who” an object pronoun?
Words that play the role of “subject pronoun” can never play the role of object pronoun. Let us check if the word “who” can play the role of an object pronoun or not.
The relative pronoun “who” can never be marked as an “object pronoun” because the word “who” usually provides information about the “subject” of the main independent clause. In fact, the word “who” can be regarded as a “subject pronoun”.
Is “who” an interrogative pronoun?
There are a total of five different interrogative pronouns in parts of speech in the English language. Let us check if the word “who” is an “interrogative pronoun” or not.
The word “who” can certainly be regarded as an “interrogative pronoun” as the word “who” is widely used to ask questions about any specific person. Except “who”, “what”, “which”, “whose” and “whom” also come under the category of “interrogative pronoun”.
| Situation where we can use the interrogative pronoun “who” | Example | Explanation |
| The interrogative pronoun “who” is mainly used to ask about any specific person, and most of the time, that specific person is the subject of the sentence. | Who has created this mess by scattering all the toys? | The word “who” can certainly be regarded as an “interrogative pronoun” as it asks about a person who has created this mess by scattering all the toys. |
When is “who” not considered as pronoun?
Four types of conjunctions are in use in the English language. Let us check the situations when “who” does not function as a “pronoun”.
The word “who” can not be considered a “pronoun,” but rather we can mark it as a “subordinate conjunction” when it connects a “subordinate clause” to the main clause. The subordinate clause connected by the subordinate conjunction “who” is also mentioned as an “adjective clause” as it provides information about a proper noun.
Example: I know this girl, Mina, who is famous in our society for her daring attitude.
Explanation:
The word “who” can certainly be considered as a “subordinate conjunction” as it connects the subordinate dependent clause “is famous in our society for her daring attitude” to the main independent clause “I know this girl.”
Conclusion –
We can wrap up our explanation by saying that the word “who” can play the role of both a “relative pronoun” and an “interrogative pronoun”. In both cases, it provides information about the subject of the main independent clause.
Hey! I am Arpita Bose Roy. My qualifications are M.A. in English with B. Ed. in both general education and special education. I have 2 years of experience as a “language analyst” at IIT Kharagpur and 4 years of experience as an “Academic Content Developer” at IIT Kharagpur. Currently, I am working as an academic writer at Lambdageeks.