Relative pronouns | The parts of speech | Grammar | Khan Academy

Summary

This educational video script delves into the function of relative pronouns in the English language, which are essential for linking independent and dependent clauses. The narrator explains that 'who', 'whom', 'whose', 'that', and 'which' are the primary relative pronouns, each with specific uses. 'Who', 'whom', 'whose', and 'that' refer to people, while 'whose', 'that', and 'which' are used for things. Examples are given to illustrate their application, such as 'the man who sold the world' and 'the salad that I bought'. The script clarifies that 'which' is not used for people, highlighting the nuances of English grammar. The narrator promises more detailed explanations in upcoming videos, encouraging viewers to continue learning.

Takeaways

• 🔗 Relative pronouns link independent and dependent clauses in sentences.
• 👤 The pronouns 'who', 'whom', 'whose', and 'that' are used to refer to people.
• 📚 The pronoun 'which' is used to refer to things and not people.
• 🌟 Example: 'The man who sold the world is coming by on Tuesday' uses 'who' to link the clauses.
• 🥗 In 'The salad that I bought was wilted', 'that' refers to the salad, which is a thing.
• 🚫 'Which' cannot be used to refer to people, unlike 'who' and 'that'.
• 🧙‍♀️ 'The witch who cast the spell is kind' correctly uses 'who' for a person.
• 🐱 Incorrect: 'The witch which owns a cat is cruel' because 'which' is not used for people.
• 📖 Relative pronouns are essential for constructing complex sentences in English.
• 🎥 More specifics on the usage of relative pronouns will be covered in following videos.

Q & A

What is the primary function of relative pronouns in English?

Relative pronouns link clauses together, specifically independent and dependent clauses.

Can you give an example of a sentence using a relative pronoun?

Yes, the sentence 'The man who sold the world is coming by on Tuesday' uses 'who' as a relative pronoun to link the clauses.

What are the relative pronouns in English?

The relative pronouns in English are who, whom, whose, that, and which.

Which relative pronouns are used to refer to people?

Who, whom, whose, and that are used to refer to people.

Which relative pronouns are used to refer to things?

Whose, that, and which are used to refer to things.

Can you provide an example sentence using 'that' to refer to a thing?

Yes, 'The salad that I bought was wilted.' uses 'that' to refer to the salad.

Can 'which' be used to refer to people?

No, 'which' does not apply to people; it is used for things.

Is there a difference between using 'who' and 'that' when referring to people?

Both 'who' and 'that' can be used interchangeably when referring to people, as in 'the witch who/that cast the spell.'

Why can't we use 'which' to refer to people?

It's a rule of English grammar that 'which' is not used to refer to people; it's specific to things.

What will be covered in the following videos about relative pronouns?

The speaker will get into more specifics about the usage and nuances of relative pronouns in English.

What is the key takeaway from the script about relative pronouns?

The key takeaway is that relative pronouns are used to connect independent and dependent clauses and have specific uses depending on whether they refer to people or things.