Relative Pronouns

Relative pronouns usually act as subjects or objects in their own clauses. When writing a sentence with a relative pronoun, consider the following list of pronouns borrowed from The Little, Brown Handbook, Sixth Edition. 

Commonly Used Relative Pronouns:

• which
• what
• that
• whatever
• who (whose, whom)
• whoever (whomever)

Here are a few sample sentences to get you started using relative pronouns. 

• Students who take notes during class lectures do better on exams.
• Bathing in the school fountain, which is forbidden at most universities, has become a popular fraternity initiation practice.
• Old Dominion University is a school where students' success is a priority.

Note: In the sentences above, commas are only used to offset non-essential clauses (clauses that can be removed from the sentence without changing meaning). Essential relative clauses are not set off with commas.