• Linguistics and Language -> Grammar and Syntax

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Is the placement of relative pronouns different in American and British English?

Latisha Mastrantone

Hey there! Thanks for your question about the placement of relative pronouns in American and British English. The short answer is that there are some small differences in how these pronouns are used, but for the most part they are pretty similar.

To start, a relative pronoun is a word that connects a dependent clause to a main clause in a sentence. The most commonly used relative pronouns are 'who,' 'whom,' 'that,' 'which,' and 'whose.' These pronouns are used to provide more information about a noun or noun phrase in a sentence.

One of the main differences between American and British English when it comes to relative pronouns is the use of 'whom.' In British English, 'whom' is used more commonly than in American English. However, in both dialects, 'whom' is often seen as quite formal, and many people choose to use 'who' instead.

Another difference between American and British English is the use of 'that' and 'which.' In British English, 'which' is often used to introduce a relative clause that provides additional, non-essential information about the noun or noun phrase it follows. For example: "The book, which was published in 1920, is a classic." In American English, however, it is more common to use 'that' for both essential and non-essential clauses. For example: "The book that I'm reading is a classic."

In both dialects, 'who' is used to refer to people, while 'that' and 'which' are used to refer to animals or things. However, in British English, it is sometimes acceptable to use 'that' to refer to people, while in American English this is not typically done.

Overall, the differences in placement of relative pronouns between American and British English are minor and should not cause too much confusion. As with many aspects of language, the key is to pay attention to the context in which these pronouns are used, and to use them in a way that is appropriate for the situation.

I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any further questions.