In English grammar, the pronoun is one type of part of speech that is used instead of a noun to avoid the repetition of nouns. Let us explore whether “whose’’ is a pronoun.
The word “whose’’ does the function of a pronoun in a sentence. It can function as a possessive pronoun, a relative pronoun, an interrogative pronoun, and an indefinite pronoun based on our needs.
Let us explain some more interesting facts along with when, how and some examples relating to it in an interesting way.
When is “whose’’ a pronoun?
The word “whose’’ is the possessive form that can be used in place of a noun to avoid the repetition of nouns. Here let us examine when it is a pronoun.
The word “whose’’ is considered a pronoun when it is used to ask or tell to whom something belongs. It originates from the pronoun “who’’.
Let us see the table where we will find examples for our better understanding of the situations when “whose” is a pronoun.
| Situation | Example | Explanation |
| 1. “Whose’’ is used as a pronoun to show that someone or something belongs to someone or thing. | We should help the families whose houses are washed away during a flood. | Here the word “whose’’ is used as a pronoun to indicate the possession of the families. |
| 2. “Whose’’ can be used as a pronoun when it is used to enquire who someone or something belongs to. | Whose bag is on the wall? | In this sentence, the word “whose’’ acts as a pronoun referring to the possession of someone. |
| 3. “Whose’’ is a pronoun used to refer to someone who knows or says who someone belongs to or is connected with. | The teacher announced whose names are on the list as winners. | Here it is seen that the word “whose’’ is placed in the place of a noun and refers to belonging to someone. |
When is “whose’’ an interrogative pronoun?
An interrogative pronoun is a type of pronoun that is used instead of a noun to ask questions. Here we will check if “whose’’ is an interrogative pronoun.
The word “whose’’ is regarded as an interrogative pronoun when it helps us to frame a question to know about who or what possesses something or what relationship is connected with him, her, or it.
Ex- Whose umbrella have you found on the road?
Explanation- In this sentence, the word “whose’’ does the function of an interrogative pronoun. It is used instead of a noun and helps to frame a question.
Examples of “whose’’ as an interrogative pronoun:
The word “whose’’ can certainly be used to frame questions. Here we will provide some examples where “whose’’ is employed as an interrogative pronoun.
Let us view the table to see the examples of “whose’’ as an interrogative pronoun.
| Example | Explanation |
| 1. Whose son are you? | In this example, the word “whose’’ is used as an interrogative pronoun to ask a question. It refers to the possession of someone. |
| 2. Whose book is this? | This is the sentence where the word “whose’’ is employed to frame a question signifying the ownership of somebody. |
| 3. Whose pen is left in the class? | In this sentence, the word “whose’’ acts as an interrogative pronoun to frame a question. It indicates the belonging of someone. |
| 4. Whose sweater did you put on yesterday? | Here it is found that the word “whose’’ is inserted in the place of a noun and helps to frame a question. It refers to the possession of someone. |
| 5. Whose father knows the event that took place some days ago? | Here we see that the word “whose’’ is used to frame the question. It is used in place of a noun and shows the ownership of someone. |
| 6. Whose phone is lost? | In this example, the word “whose’’ is used as an interrogative pronoun to frame a question. |
| 7. Whose answer is regarded as the best? | The example shows that the word “whose’’ acts as an interrogative pronoun and refers to the possession of somebody. |
When is “whose’’ a relative pronoun?
A relative pronoun is one kind of pronoun that does the function of introducing a relative clause by connecting two clauses. Here we shall explore when “whose’’ is a relative pronoun.
We can regard the word “whose’’ as a relative pronoun when it can connect the main clause and the dependent clause to introduce a relative clause. It also does the function of a modifier of the noun.
Examples of “whose’’ as a relative pronoun:
We can certainly use the word “whose’’ as a relative pronoun. Here we will provide some examples.
Let us see the table to find the examples where “whose’’ functions as a relative pronoun.
| Example | Explanation |
| 1. Do you know the boy whose father is a teacher? | In this example, the word “whose’’ is used as a relative pronoun and is used at beginning of a dependent clause “whose father is teacher’’. It modifies the noun “boy’’ here. |
| 2. The people whose houses are seen are living in happiness. | In this sentence, the word “whose’’ is used as a relative pronoun and it relates the different clauses to introduce a relative clause. |
| 3. Sunanda is going to marry a girl whose father is a businessman. | Here we see that the word “whose’’ acts as a relative pronoun to begin a relative clause. |
| 4. The boy whose sister is dancing on the stage is clapping his hands. | In this scenario, we find that the word “whose’’ as a relative pronoun introduces a relative clause. It is placed at the start of the dependent clause “whose sister is dancing on the stage’’. |
| 5. This flat belongs to a man whose son is an engineer. | Here we find that the word “whose’’ is used instead of a noun and it introduces a relative clause. It is used at the start of the dependent clause “whose son is an engineer’’ and modifies the noun “man’’. |
| 6. The student whose teacher teaches him at home scores good marks in the final competition. | In this sentence, the word “whose’’ is a relative pronoun that introduces a relative clause. |
| 7. Did you enjoy the batting of Gavaskar whose trainer was excellent? | This is the example where the word “whose’’ is a relative pronoun and has introduced the relative clause and has done the function of a modifier and qualifies the noun “Gavaskar’’. |
Is “whose’’ an object pronoun?
We use an object pronoun in a sentence to indicate the object of a verb. Here we will explain if the word “whose’’ is an object pronoun.
The word “whose’’ is definitely an object pronoun when it is used in a sentence to refer to the object. It is appropriate for inanimate objects.
Ex- Whose pages are turned yellow?
Explanation- This is the example where the word “whose’’ refers to a thing i.e. “book’’. It indicates an object and acts as an object pronoun.
Is “whose’’ an indefinite pronoun?
An indefinite pronoun is one kind of pronoun that indicates a person, animal, or thing in an indefinite manner. Let us examine whether “whose’’ is an indefinite pronoun.
- We can certainly use the word “whose’’ as an indefinite pronoun when we refer to a person or thing without particular indication.
- The word “whose’’ is used to refer to the possession of someone or something. Then it can definitely work as an indefinite pronoun.
Ex- Whose is this desktop?
Explanation- In this example, the word “whose’’ acts as an indefinite pronoun because it refers not to a specific person. It indicates a person’s indefinite manner.
When is “whose’’ not considered a pronoun?
We have learned that the word “whose’’ functions as a pronoun. Now we will discuss when it is not considered as a pronoun.
- The word “whose’’ is not considered as a pronoun when it is used in a sentence as an adjective. It does the function of a possessive adjective referring to the possession of someone and modifies the noun.
- “Whose’’ works as an adjective. It is placed before a noun and acts as a modifier of the noun.
- “Whose’’ is used as a relative adjective introducing a relative clause.
Let us see the table where the usage of “whose” as an adjective is shown in an interesting manner.
| Example | Usage of “whose’’ as the part of speech | Explanation |
| 1. Whose shirt is red in color? | As a possessive adjective | – In this example, the word “whose’’ acts as an adjective. It is placed before the noun “shirt’’ and does modify it. Actually, it refers to the relationship beyond simple ownership. |
| 2. Do you know the teacher whose name is regarded as the winner of the best teacher award? | As a relative adjective | In this sentence, the word “whose’’ acts as a relative adjective introducing a relative clause. It modifies the noun “teacher’’ in this sentence. |
Conclusion
This article deals with the description of “whose’ as a pronoun and its function as different types of pronouns. This will certainly enable us to insert in the sentences for better understanding.
Hi…. I am Goutam Datta. I have completed a double M. A. in English and B. Ed. I am a creative writer. Currently, I am a part of the LambdaGeeks.