Use where for places, replacing in which or at which, as in this is the house where I grew up. Use whose to show possession for both people and things, as in I know a man whose car was stolen. Do not confuse whose with the contraction who’s.
Grammar Rule
Where replaces in which / at which; whose indicates possession and works for both people and things.
Where and Whose: Rules and Examples
| Word | Used for | Example |
|---|---|---|
| where | places | This is the house where I grew up. That’s the school where she studies. |
| whose | possession | I know a man whose car was stolen. She’s the woman whose dog barks all night. |
Remember: where for places, whose for possession; don’t confuse whose with who’s.
Practice Test
Instructions
Answer each question in the test below choosing correctly between where and whose. You will get a new random set of questions every time you retake the test, plus a downloadable results summary with your name and score at the end.
Relative Pronouns – Where (Places) and Whose (Possession)
No necesitas registrarte para empezar. Al finalizar verás tu calificación de inmediato, y si quieres podrás agregar tu nombre para personalizar y descargar tu resultado.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do you use where in a relative clause?
Use where to talk about a place, replacing in which or at which, as in this is the house where I grew up.
When do you use whose in a relative clause?
Use whose to show possession, for both people and things, as in I know a man whose car was stolen.
What is the difference between whose and who’s?
Whose shows possession, while who’s is a contraction of who is or who has; they sound the same but have different meanings.
Can whose be used for things, not just people?
Yes, whose can show possession for things as well as people, as in the house whose roof is red belongs to my uncle.