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Thread: Relative pronoun "who"

  1. #1
    bowiefrisch is offline Newbie
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    Default Relative pronoun "who"

    Am I correct to say that the relative pronoun "who" is used only for humans?

    For dogs, cats, penguins, parrots, etc. the relative pronoun is "which", am I right?

  2. #2
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    Default Re: Relative pronoun "who"

    Quote Originally Posted by bowiefrisch View Post
    Am I correct to say that the relative pronoun "who" is used only for humans? Generally yes, although some people might refer to their pet with "who".

    For dogs, cats, penguins, parrots, etc. the relative pronoun is "which", am I right? No.
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    bowiefrisch is offline Newbie
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    Default Re: Relative pronoun "who"

    Quote Originally Posted by bhaisahab View Post
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    @ bhaisahab

    If the relative pronoun for dogs, cats, parrots, penguins, crocodiles, dinosaurs, etc...is not "which", then what is it please? Thanks in advance for your answer.

    Is there a difference between american english usage and british english usage with regards to the above?

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    Default Re: Relative pronoun "who"

    Quote Originally Posted by bowiefrisch View Post
    @ bhaisahab

    If the relative pronoun for dogs, cats, parrots, penguins, crocodiles, dinosaurs, etc...is not "which", then what is it please? Thanks in advance for your answer. Could be "that".

    Is there a difference between American English usage and British English usage with regards to the above? I don't know, but I doubt it.
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    bowiefrisch is offline Newbie
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    Default Re: Relative pronoun "who"

    Quote Originally Posted by bhaisahab View Post
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    @ bhaisahab

    Can I ask you a question?

    Are you a native (British) English speaker?

    Please don't take it the wrong way. I am just curious.

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    Default Re: Relative pronoun "who"

    Quote Originally Posted by bowiefrisch View Post
    @ bhaisahab

    Can I ask you a question?

    Are you a native (British) English speaker?

    Please don't take it the wrong way. I am just curious.
    I am a native British English speaker, everything in my profile on the site is true, unlike in yours.

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    Default Re: Relative pronoun "who"

    And please note that bhai originally responded to the question "For dogs, cats, penguins, parrots, etc. the relative pronoun is "which", am I right?"

    bhaisahab responded, correctly, "no". It is one possible relative pronoun. 'That' is another. In some cases, a zero relative pronoun is also possible.

    Given bhai's distinguished record in this forum, your question about his being a native speaker is , at best, inappropriate; given the distinguished record of some non-native speakers, it is offensive.
    bhaisahab, Rover_KE and riquecohen like this.

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