Interrogative pronouns are words used to ask questions about people or things. The principal forms are **who, whom, whose, which** and **what**. They stand in place of the person or thing being asked about.
Five main interrogative pronouns
**Who** asks about a person as the subject: Who called? **Whom** asks about a person as the object, especially in formal English: Whom did you invite? **Whose** asks about ownership: Whose is this? **Which** asks for a selection: Which do you prefer? **What** asks about identity or information: What happened?
Who versus whom
Use *who* for a subject: Who wrote the email? Use *whom* for an object: Whom did she contact? In ordinary speech, *who* is often used instead of *whom*. A quick test: if *he/she* fits, use *who*; if *him/her* fits, *whom* may be appropriate.
Which versus what
*Which* commonly points to a limited or understood choice: Which of these three shirts is yours? *What* is broader: What is your favorite subject? The distinction depends on context, not an absolute rule.
Pronouns versus determiners
In “Which is yours?”, *which* is a pronoun. In “Which book is yours?”, it modifies the noun *book* and functions as a determiner. Likewise, compare “Whose is this?” with “Whose bag is this?”
Ten practice questions
1. ___ is at the door? 2. ___ of these is correct? 3. ___ happened yesterday? 4. ___ is this jacket? 5. ___ did the teacher praise? 6. ___ wants a ticket? 7. ___ of the two is heavier? 8. ___ do you mean? 9. ___ was selected? 10. ___ did you send the message to?
Suggested answers
1 Who; 2 Which; 3 What; 4 Whose; 5 Whom (formal) or Who (informal); 6 Who; 7 Which; 8 What; 9 Who; 10 Whom (formal) or Who (informal).
Frequently asked questions on Interrogative Pronouns
**Is whose always a pronoun?** No, it can also be a determiner. **Is whom outdated?** No, but it is more common in formal contexts. **Is where an interrogative pronoun?** No, it is normally an interrogative adverb. **Can what be a determiner?** Yes, as in “What time?” **Can who be an object?** Yes, in informal English.
Conclusion
Interrogative pronouns help build clear questions. The easiest way to master them is to notice whether the word replaces a person or thing, or modifies a following noun.
Also Read: Descriptive Adjectives Examples: Types and Practice
Indefinite Pronouns List: Meaning, Rules and Examples
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