Relative Determiners
Board Exam Notes
What Are Relative Determiners?
Read these two sentences:
The girl whose painting won the prize is my classmate.
Choose whichever colour you like best.
He donated whatever money he had saved.
The bold words — whose, whichever, whatever — are relative determiners. They come before a noun and connect two clauses in a sentence — just like a bridge joining two parts of a road.
A relative determiner is a word placed before a noun that links the main clause to a relative (subordinate) clause. It does two jobs at the same time: it modifies the noun (like all determiners) AND introduces a clause that gives more information about that noun.
Think of a sentence as two wagons. A relative determiner is the connector that joins them while also pointing to a specific noun in the first wagon.
Key rule: A relative determiner always comes before a noun inside the relative clause. If the same word stands alone without a noun, it is a relative pronoun, not a relative determiner.
The child whose bag was lost cried. → “whose” + noun “bag” = Relative Determiner
The child, whose was lost, cried. → ✗ Wrong — “whose” cannot stand alone like this
The Five Relative Determiners
There are five relative determiners in English. Each one links clauses differently.
| Determiner | Used For | Has Antecedent? | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| which | Things, animals, or a whole idea | Yes — refers back to a noun | He chose the path which road leads to the village. |
| whose | People, animals, things (possession) | Yes — refers back to a noun | The girl whose voice is sweetest won. |
| what | Things in general (= “that which”) | No — contains its own antecedent | I gave her what help I could. |
| whichever | Any one from a known group (free choice) | No — self-contained | Take whichever seat you prefer. |
| whatever | Any amount or type — unlimited | No — self-contained | She spends whatever money she earns. |
Rules in Detail — Each Determiner Explained
How WHICH works as a relative determiner: “which” comes before a noun inside the relative clause and refers back to an antecedent (the noun in the main clause it describes). Unlike the relative pronoun “which”, here it must be followed immediately by a noun.
The car, which engine had failed, was towed away.
Here: antecedent = “car” | relative determiner = “which” | noun modified = “engine”
Important: “whose” as a relative determiner always shows that the noun after it belongs to the antecedent. It can refer to people and things.
The building whose windows were broken has been repaired. — “whose” refers to the building (a thing), not a person. This is perfectly correct in English.
Special feature of WHAT: Unlike “which” and “whose”, “what” as a relative determiner does not need an antecedent. It contains the antecedent within itself — it means “the thing/things that” or “all the … that”.
I gave her what help I could. = I gave her the help that I could. — No separate antecedent needed.
WHICHEVER vs WHATEVER:
Whichever = choosing from a known, limited group → “Take whichever pen you like” (from the pens on the table)
Whatever = completely open and unlimited → “Take whatever you need” (anything at all)
Defining vs Non-Defining Relative Clauses
This is one of the most important concepts for CBSE board exams. Understanding the difference between these two types of relative clauses will help you use relative determiners correctly and punctuate sentences properly.
A defining relative clause gives essential information about the noun. Without this clause, the sentence would be incomplete or unclear. There are no commas around a defining clause.
The student whose project won the prize studies in Class 10.
Remove “whose project won the prize” and you get: “The student studies in Class 10.” — We do not know which student. The clause is essential → Defining. No commas.
A non-defining relative clause gives extra, additional information about the noun. The sentence makes complete sense even without this clause. It is placed between commas.
Riya, whose painting was displayed at the exhibition, is my best friend.
Remove “whose painting was displayed at the exhibition” and you get: “Riya is my best friend.” — Still complete and clear! The clause is extra information → Non-defining. Use commas.
| Defining Clause | Non-Defining Clause | |
|---|---|---|
| Information type | Essential — sentence unclear without it | Extra — sentence complete without it |
| Commas | No commas used | Commas before and after the clause |
| Can we remove it? | No — meaning changes | Yes — sentence still makes sense |
| Which determiner? | which, whose, whichever, whatever | which, whose (not whichever/whatever) |
| Example | The dog whose leg was hurt is fine. | My dog, whose leg was hurt, is fine. |
Simple test to identify clause type: Remove the relative clause from the sentence. If the sentence still tells you exactly which person or thing is meant → Non-defining (add commas). If you are left wondering which one → Defining (no commas).
| Structure | Example |
|---|---|
| Antecedent + whose + noun + verb | The boy whose father is a doctor lives nearby. |
| Antecedent + which + noun + verb | The car which engine had failed was towed. |
| What + noun + clause (no antecedent) | I shared what food I had. |
| Whichever + noun + clause | Take whichever book interests you. |
| Whatever + noun + clause | Use whatever tools you have. |
| Non-defining: Noun, + whose/which + noun + verb, + main verb | Mr. Sharma, whose son topped the class, is very proud. |
Memory Tricks
Job 1 → Modifies the noun after it
Job 2 → Connects two clauses
If a word only does one job → not a relative determiner. If it does both → it is!
The girl [bridge] whose bag [belongs to the girl] was stolen cried.
I gave what help I could.
= I gave the help that I could. ✓
If “the ___ that” fits and sounds right, “what” is a relative determiner.
Think: “which one ever you like from these“
WHAT + ever = completely unlimited
Think: “whatever exists in the world”
Known list → whichever
No list → whatever
No comma? → Defining (essential info)
My sister, whose car is new, drives fast. (comma = non-defining — extra info about my sister)
The girl whose car is new drives fast. (no comma = defining — which girl?)
YES → it has an antecedent → likely which or whose
NO → no antecedent → likely what, whichever, or whatever
what / whichever / whatever are self-contained — they carry their own antecedent.
Common Mistakes Students Make
The student who’s project was selected will get a prize.
The student whose project was selected will get a prize.
“who’s” = “who is.” Try replacing: “The student who is project…” — no sense! Use whose (no apostrophe) to show the project belongs to the student.
The car which was stolen has been found. (Here “which” has no noun after it.)
The car, which engine had failed, was towed away.
In the “wrong” example, “which” is a relative pronoun (no noun follows). For it to be a relative determiner, a noun must follow it immediately — like “which engine”, “which colour”, “which story”.
Take whatever pen you like from these two on the table.
Take whichever pen you like from these two on the table.
“These two” shows a limited, known group. Use whichever when choosing from a specific, defined group. “Whatever” is for unlimited, open choices.
My father whose job is very demanding travels a lot.
My father, whose job is very demanding, travels a lot.
“My father” is specific — we already know who he is. The clause gives extra information, so it is non-defining and must have commas around it.
The building of which walls were damaged… (very unnatural)
The building whose walls were damaged has been repaired.
“Whose” can and should be used for things, animals, and people when showing possession. “The building whose walls” is perfectly correct standard English.
The book what I read was very interesting.
The book which I read was very interesting.
“What” as a relative determiner does not need an antecedent — it carries its own. If an antecedent (“the book”) is already present in the sentence, use which or whose, not “what”.
Commonly Confused Concepts
The one-line test: Is there a noun directly after the relative word?
YES → Relative Determiner | NO → Relative Pronoun
| Relative Determiner | Relative Pronoun |
|---|---|
| Comes before a noun in the relative clause | Stands alone — replaces the noun |
| Does two jobs: modifies noun + links clauses | Only links clauses (or acts as subject/object) |
| The girl whose bag was stolen cried. | The girl who was crying lost her bag. |
| He chose the path which end leads to the river. | He chose the path which leads to the river. |
| I gave what help I could. | I gave what I could. |
The same words — which, what, whose — work as both interrogative and relative determiners. The function depends on the sentence structure.
| Function | How to Identify | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Interrogative Determiner | Asks a question — sentence ends with ? or is embedded in an indirect question | Whose bag is this? |
| Relative Determiner | Joins two clauses — sentence is a statement, not a question | The girl whose bag was stolen cried. |
| Interrogative Determiner | Asks a question (direct or indirect) | Which book did you choose? |
| Relative Determiner | Introduces relative clause in a statement | The book which cover is torn needs replacing. |
| WHAT (Relative Determiner) | WHICH (Relative Determiner) |
|---|---|
| No antecedent — self-contained | Has an antecedent in the main clause |
| Means “the ___ that” or “all the ___ that” | Refers back to a specific thing mentioned before |
| I admire what courage she showed. (= the courage that she showed) | The courage which act saved the child was remarkable. (refers back to “the courage”) |
| Cannot be used when antecedent is present | Must be used when antecedent is present |
Board Exam Tips
Always check for a noun after the word. If a noun follows the relative word → relative determiner. If no noun follows → relative pronoun. This test solves most identification questions instantly.
Whose vs who’s — the apostrophe trap. “Whose” (no apostrophe) = possessive relative determiner. “Who’s” = contraction of “who is / who has.” Replace with “who is” — if it fits, use “who’s.” If not, use “whose.”
Commas signal non-defining clauses. In editing questions, a missing comma before a non-defining relative clause is a common error. Ask: “Is the clause essential?” If no → add commas around it.
What = no antecedent. If the sentence already has an antecedent (a noun the relative clause refers to), never use “what.” Use “which” or “whose” instead. “What” carries its own antecedent.
Whichever for limited groups, whatever for open choices. Examiners test this distinction in fill-in-the-blank. Look for clues — words like “these,” “the following,” or a number signal a limited group → use whichever.
Whose can refer to things. Many students wrongly use “of which” for things and “whose” only for people. “Whose” is correct for both. “The building whose walls were painted red” is perfectly standard.
Identify the antecedent first. For sentences with “which” and “whose,” find the antecedent (the noun being described in the main clause) before choosing your answer. The relative clause must logically describe that antecedent.
Common question formats: Identify relative determiner and noun, fill in blank (which/whose/what/whichever/whatever), add punctuation (defining vs non-defining), combine two sentences using a relative determiner, error correction.
Most-tested patterns in CBSE board exams:
1. whose vs who’s | 2. relative determiner vs relative pronoun | 3. commas in non-defining clauses | 4. what without antecedent | 5. whichever vs whatever | 6. sentence combination using relative determiners
Solved Examples
“The building was demolished last year. Its roof had collapsed.”
“Priya is my best friend. Her mother is a famous scientist.”
Interactive Practice Questions
How to use: Read each question and choose your answer. Click Check Answer for instant feedback with a full, simple explanation. Try each question on your own first!
Summary — Key Takeaways
- which — things, antecedent present
- whose — possession (people/things)
- what — “the ___ that,” no antecedent
- whichever — free choice, limited group
- whatever — free choice, unlimited
No noun → Pronoun
“whose bag” (D) vs “whose” alone (P)
Students whose fees are due…
Priya, whose father is a judge,…
who’s = “who is / who has”
Test: replace with “who is” — if it fits, use who’s.
whatever = open, unlimited choice
Look for clues like “these,” “the following,” or a number.
2. Is there an antecedent?
3. Possession or general link?
4. Essential or extra? (Commas?)
Relative determiners are a small but powerful part of English grammar. Mastering which, whose, what, whichever, and whatever — and knowing when to use commas — will help you in sentence combination, error correction, and editing questions in CBSE board exams. The whose-vs-who’s distinction and the defining-vs-non-defining comma rule are tested almost every year. Practise the interactive questions, go through the explanations carefully, and you will be fully ready. You’ve got this!