RELATIVE PRONOUNS EXERCISE 1 (ESL)
level: Intermediate/Advanced
✓ Useful for IELTS
✓ Useful for TOEFL
✓ Useful for Cambridge B2/C1
DID YOU KNOW?
Relative clauses are among the most tested — and most misused — structures across all major English exams.
Choosing correctly between who, whom, which, that, and whose in a relative clause is tested in Cambridge Use of English (Part 2), IELTS reading and writing, and TOEFL reading. The defining vs non-defining distinction also matters: The student who works hardest will succeed (defining — no commas) vs My brother, who lives in London, is a doctor (non-defining — commas required).
In IELTS writing, using relative clauses correctly and varied demonstrates the grammatical range needed for Band 7+. This exercise covers all the key relative pronoun choices in one focused workout.
Relative clauses are among the most tested — and most misused — structures across all major English exams.
Choosing correctly between who, whom, which, that, and whose in a relative clause is tested in Cambridge Use of English (Part 2), IELTS reading and writing, and TOEFL reading. The defining vs non-defining distinction also matters: The student who works hardest will succeed (defining — no commas) vs My brother, who lives in London, is a doctor (non-defining — commas required).
In IELTS writing, using relative clauses correctly and varied demonstrates the grammatical range needed for Band 7+. This exercise covers all the key relative pronoun choices in one focused workout.
Which of the three relative pronouns best completes each of the following sentences?
1. The woman ________________ purse was stolen is speaking with the police officer.
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
2. The cats ________________ are playing in our back yard belong to our neighbor.
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
3. The woman ________________ called this morning was my sister.
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
4. The notebook ________________ is on the desk is Robert's.
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
5. My dad, ________________ name is Thomas, moved here in 1988.
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
6. The coach chastised Reggie, ________________ he blamed for the loss.
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
7. We were sitting next to the woman ________________ wallet we found.
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
8. John's mother, ________________ had been trying hard to have the laws changed, was happy to hear the news.
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
9. The mountains, ________________ weren't as close as Tommy said they were, are quite high.
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
10. The writer ________________ book I bought last week will be in town next month.
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
11. My grandfather gave the money to Robert, ________________ was the only one that deserved it.
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
12. The situation was so serious that he had to borrow money from Jim, ________________, in hindsight, was not a good idea.
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
13. The little boy ________________ dog we rescued wrote us a thank-you note.
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
14. The keys ________________ are on the desk are Paula's.
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
15. F. Scott Fitzgerald was a famous American writer ________________ lived in Paris for many years.
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
16. This is the song ________________ could win them a Grammy.
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
17. It turns out that the woman ________________ he spoke to worked for the New York Times.
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
18. Bill, ________________ has always had bad luck with loud neighbors, finally moved out last week.
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
19. The last dishes were washed, ________________ meant that I could relax.
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
20. He bought a new wallet for the little boy ________________ wallet had been stolen.
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
GRAMMAR REVIEW! Relative pronouns
Relative pronouns introduce relative clauses, which give more information about a noun in the sentence.
Common Relative Pronouns:
• who - used for people (and sometimes animals)
The teacher who helped me was kind.
• whom - used for people (object form)
The student whom I met is smart.
• whose - used for possession (people/things)
The artist whose work I love is famous.
• which - used for things/animals
The book which I read was amazing.
• that - used for people/things/animals
The car that broke down is new.
Usage Tips:
Who vs. Whom
Use who as the subject of the clause, whom as the object.
➤ "The man who called" vs. "The man whom I called"
That vs. Which Use that for essential (restrictive) information, which for non-essential (non-restrictive).
➤ "The movie that won the award..." (essential)
➤ "The movie, which was long, was fun." (non-essential; usually with commas)
Check out some of our other free exercises on pronouns in English:
Personal (subject) Pronouns 1 (B)
Personal (subject) Pronouns 2 (B)
Possessive Pronouns 1 (B)
Possessive Pronouns/Adjectives 1 (I)
Indefinite Pronouns 1 (B/I)
Indefinite Pronouns 2 (B/I)
Reflexive Pronouns 1 (B)
REFLEXIVE pronoun or OBJECT pronoun? 1 (B)
Direct object pronouns 1 (B)
Relative pronouns 1 (A)
Relative Pronouns 2 (I)
Relative pronouns introduce relative clauses, which give more information about a noun in the sentence.
Common Relative Pronouns:
• who - used for people (and sometimes animals)
The teacher who helped me was kind.
• whom - used for people (object form)
The student whom I met is smart.
• whose - used for possession (people/things)
The artist whose work I love is famous.
• which - used for things/animals
The book which I read was amazing.
• that - used for people/things/animals
The car that broke down is new.
Usage Tips:
Who vs. Whom
Use who as the subject of the clause, whom as the object.
➤ "The man who called" vs. "The man whom I called"
That vs. Which Use that for essential (restrictive) information, which for non-essential (non-restrictive).
➤ "The movie that won the award..." (essential)
➤ "The movie, which was long, was fun." (non-essential; usually with commas)
Check out some of our other free exercises on pronouns in English:
Personal (subject) Pronouns 1 (B)
Personal (subject) Pronouns 2 (B)
Possessive Pronouns 1 (B)
Possessive Pronouns/Adjectives 1 (I)
Indefinite Pronouns 1 (B/I)
Indefinite Pronouns 2 (B/I)
Reflexive Pronouns 1 (B)
REFLEXIVE pronoun or OBJECT pronoun? 1 (B)
Direct object pronouns 1 (B)
Relative pronouns 1 (A)
Relative Pronouns 2 (I)
