Relative, reciprocal, and interrogative pronouns are types of pronouns used as substitutes for nouns to relate person or things, to denote mutual actions and ask questions. What, which, that, each other, myself, herself, when, where, are some examples of these pronouns. Let’s learn more detail.
Step by step understanding about relative, reciprocal and Interrogative pronouns
Relative pronouns such as which, that, who are used to join two relative clauses by relating antecedents. They relate things, persons, or animals to add extra information to main clause. Here, I have described usages of relative pronouns in details.
Relative pronouns
1.Who : Whom, Whose,
Who, whom, whose are used for Nominative, Objective and Possessive cases respectively.
Last week, I saw a movie, which was really inspiring. ( non-restructive clause)
I can’t forget that person who helped me in hospital.
Tree sheds leaves which release more water.
“Which, that, and what” are preferred to relate and refer things and animals.
Apart from this, following pattern is also function like relative pronouns:–
Who + so + ever = whosoever
Which + ever = whichever
What + so + ever = whatsoever
Who + ever = whosoever
Understanding usages of Relative pronouns
1.The pen which you gifted me, is now lost. (for thing)
2.The lake, which we saw last time, is totally dried. (for thing)
3.This is the bike that we used for riding. (for thing)
4.I always remember the people who helped us in need. (for person)
5.Equatorial forests, which are the storehouse of diverse species, are on the verge of degradation. (for thing)
6.I saw a sensitive person who was serving selflessly for poor people. (for person)
7.He is the man whose pocket was lost. (for person)
The same forms of relative pronouns are used to singular and plural, masculine and feminine.
“Using of who and whose”
For person, in the subjective or nominative case, that and who pronouns are used.
Whereas, in the possessive case only whose is preferred. Apart from this, in the objective case, whom or who along that is used.
He is the man who was complaining. (subject)
He is the man whose pocket was lost. (possessive)
He is the man whom we saw begging. (object)
“What” pronoun is commonly used for things in all cases – subjective, objective, and possessive.
Which relative pronoun
“Which” pronoun is also commonly used for things and animals.
Moreover, who, generally, used for person, but sometimes, it also preferred for animals.
There are a lot of animals which suffer from water scarcity in summer.
Now, in the process of explaining relative, reciprocal, and interrogative pronouns, I’m going to explain reflexive and reciprocal pronouns in detail.
Reflexive and reciprocal pronouns
When the person or thing is used as subject as well as object of the verb, it is called reflexive pronoun. It is the extension of -self or selves to the objective case of personal pronoun.
In case of reciprocal pronouns, it denotes the mutual action, or refers two or more than two persons or things who are the subjects of same verb.
If the action initiated by the subject of given verb reflects upon the subject in the form of object of the verb, it is called reflexive pronoun. Following are the examples of reflexive pronouns.
Myself, Himself — singular
Herself, Itself
Oneself, Yourself
Themselves — plural
Ourselves – plural
1.I hope you will not let down yourself.
2.He forced himself to resign amidst allegations.
3.We should evaluate ourselves daily.
On the other hand, reciprocal is different than reflexive pronoun. It refers two or more people or things who are the subject of same verb.
Mutual beneficiaries of their own actions. They may be two or more than two. In this process, both or more are the benefiting from theirs mutual action. Usually, it is placed as object.
Each other
One another
1.The two lions protected each other
2.Everyone in the pact of lions help one another.
Difference between reciprocal and reflexive pronouns
Each other and one another are two reciprocal pronouns used to refers two or more things or persons.
Between two, each other is used to show receiving mutual action initiated by the subject of same verb. This pronoun refers two things not more than two.
For example, “The two lions protected each other“. In this case, action done by subject is mutually received or benefitted by subject itself.
But, one another refers more than two persons or things.
Like, everyone in the pack of lions helped one another. In this case, beneficiaries are more than two who initiated action.
Finally, reflexive pronouns are used as singular with –self and plural with –selves.
Singular and plural reflexive pronouns
My + self
Him + self
Her + self
It + self
One + self
Your + self
Plural reflexive pronouns
Our + selves
Them + selves
Next, there will be interrogative pronouns with better clarity and examples.
Explaining Interrogative pronouns
This is the last pronouns in the process of explaining relative, reciprocal, and interrogative pronouns.
Simply, interrogative pronouns are used either to ask questions or do the functions of nouns in the sentence. Mainly, to ask direct, indirect, and other types of questions, the role of interrogative pronouns is vital to study.
Interrogative pronouns for person(s), thing(s)
Who — as subject in nominative case
Whom — as object in objective case
Whose — as possessive case.
What — subject/object for things
Which — subject/object for restrictive sense.
1.Let me know. Who is there? (about unknown person as a subject)
2.Anyone tell me. Whose is this luggage?( (as a subject)
3.Whom do you help? (as object)
4.Which is your choice? (as subject for both person or thing)
5.What do you request me to favour? (as object for things)
In all the above examples, who, whose, whom, what, and which do the functions of nouns.
Role of interrogative pronoun in sentence
First of all, before understanding the role of such pronouns, you should know the difference among other question words.
Why — cause
How — manner
When — time
Where — place
How often — for frequency
How many — quantity
All the above mentioned question words do the functions of contextual factors or adverbs. Hence, whenever these are used, stand for adverb or do the functions of adverb.
But, who, whose, whom, what, which play the role of nouns in the form of question word.
Above both are question words but one plays the functions of nouns and other adverbs.
1.Who is ready for picnic? (Direct question)
2.Please tell me whose this bike is? (Indirect question)
3.What is your plan? (Direct question)
4.Do you know what they are planning to do? (Indirect question)
Compound interrogative pronouns
Whichever
Whatever
Whoever
Whomever etc.
All are called compound interrogative pronouns frequently used to ask various questions and do the functions of nouns. Finally, this is all about the detailed explanation of relative, reciprocal, and interrogative pronouns.Parts of Speech: elements of Sentence
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/relative-pronouns