Navigating "Who," "Whom," and "That" in Adjective Clauses
In English grammar, the choice between "who," "whom," and "that" in adjective clauses (also known as relative clauses) depends on whether the clause refers to a person or a thing, and the grammatical role the pronoun plays within that clause. Adjective clauses add essential or non-essential information about a noun.
"Who": For People (as the Subject)
"Who" is used to introduce an adjective clause when referring to a person (or a named animal with a personality), and when that person is the subject of the verb in the adjective clause. The subject is the one performing the action.
* Rule: Use "who" when you can replace it with "he," "she," or "they."
Examples:
* The man who lives next door is a doctor.
* Clause: "who lives next door"
* Test: He lives next door. (Correct)
* The students who passed the exam were thrilled.
* Clause: "who passed the exam"
* Test: They passed the exam. (Correct)
"Whom": For People (as the Object)
"Whom" is the correct choice when referring to a person who is the object of the verb or a preposition in the adjective clause. The object receives the action. While "whom" is considered formal and is often dropped or replaced by "who" in casual speech, it is still required in formal writing.
* Rule: Use "whom" when you can replace it with "him," "her," or "them."
Examples:
* The woman whom I admire is my grandmother.
* Clause: "whom I admire"
* Test: I admire her. (Correct)
* The candidate to whom we listened was very persuasive.
* Clause: "to whom we listened"
* Test: We listened to him. (Correct)
"That": The Versatile Option for People and Things
"That" is a more versatile pronoun and can be used to introduce adjective clauses for both people and things. However, its use comes with a crucial limitation.
When can you use "that"?
* For Things: "That" is commonly used to refer to animals and inanimate objects, both as a subject and an object.
* Subject: The car that is parked outside is mine.
* Object: The book that I'm reading is fascinating.
* For People (in Restrictive Clauses): "That" can replace "who" or "whom" but only in restrictive clauses. A restrictive clause provides essential information that is necessary to identify the noun it modifies. These clauses are not set off by commas.
* Replacing "who": The boy that sits in the front row is very bright. (Instead of "who sits...")
* Replacing "whom": The man that she married is a pilot. (Instead of "whom she married...")
When can you NOT use "that"?
The most significant rule for "that" is that it cannot be used in non-restrictive clauses. Non-restrictive clauses provide extra, non-essential information and are set off by commas.
* Incorrect: My father, that is a retired engineer, loves to travel.
* Correct: My father, who is a retired engineer, loves to travel.
In this example, "my father" is already a specific, identified person. The clause "who is a retired engineer" simply adds extra information. Therefore, you must use "who."
Summary Table
| Pronoun | Refers To | Function in Clause | Type of Clause | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Who | People | Subject | Restrictive & Non-Restrictive | The woman who called is my sister. / My sister, who lives in London, is visiting. |
| Whom | People | Object | Restrictive & Non-Restrictive | The man whom I met was friendly. / Mr. Smith, whom I respect, is retiring. |
| That | People & Things | Subject or Object | Only Restrictive | The dog that barks is annoying. / The person that I trust is you. |
Key Takeaways
* Person as Subject: Use who. ("That" is a common, more informal alternative in essential clauses).
* Person as Object: Use whom (formal) or who (informal). "That" is also possible in essential clauses.
* Thing as Subject or Object: Use that (or "which").
* Non-Essential Information (with commas): Never use "that." Always use "who" or "whom" for people.
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