Relative and Intensive Pronouns — Answer Key
Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
1. Fix the sentence:
The student whom finished first received a ribbon.
Corrected: The student who finished first received a ribbon.
'Who' acts as the subject of a clause, while 'whom' acts as the object.
2. Fix the sentence:
The coach who I admire most retired last week.
Corrected: The coach whom I admire most retired last week.
'Whom' is the object form, used when someone receives the action of the verb.
3. Fix the sentence:
The author whom wrote that novel will visit our school.
Corrected: The author who wrote that novel will visit our school.
When the pronoun performs the verb in the clause, the subject form 'who' is correct.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. The neighbor who helped us with the garden left this morning.
'Who' is the relative pronoun used as the subject of a clause.
2. The artist whom we interviewed paints colorful murals.
'Whom' is the relative pronoun used as the object of a verb or preposition.
3. The scientist who discovered the comet wrote a famous book.
When the pronoun does the action in the clause, 'who' is correct.
4. The teammate whom I trust most always passes the ball.
'Whom' replaces an object pronoun like 'him' or 'her' inside a relative clause.
Part C: Short Answer
Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.
1. Write a sentence using 'who' and explain why 'who' is correct.
Sample answer: The girl who carried the flag is my cousin; 'who' is the subject of 'carried.'
'Who' takes the subject role and performs the verb inside the relative clause.
2. Write a sentence using 'whom' and explain why 'whom' is correct.
Sample answer: The author whom we met signed our books; 'whom' is the object of 'met.'
'Whom' takes the object role and receives the verb's action inside the clause.