Question

Fill in the blank with a relative pronoun:

The earthquake, _________ measured 7.8 on the Richter scale, caused much damage.

• A. which
• B. whose
• C. whom
• D. where

Answer 1

The correct option is A which

A relative pronoun functions as a pronoun as it refers to a noun that's been mentioned right before it. It also functions as a conjunction, as it links together two sentences as one big sentence. The noun ("earthquake") is mentioned in the first clause, and the relative pronoun (which) takes its place in the second clause, this noun is the antecedent of the relative pronoun. In the given sentence, "The earthquake" is the subject as it performs the action "caused" on the object "damage". 'Which' is the correct pronoun because it is usually used to refer to a thing or event, here, the earthquake. Hence option A is correct. 'Whose' is a possessive pronoun, it expresses possession of an object/thing by a person (sometimes a thing), whereas in the sentence it does not express possession of anything. Hence option B is incorrect. 'Whom' is used to refer to a person/s or in some cases, animals. 'Whom' does not refer to a thing or event, and the earthquake is an event, hence option C is incorrect. 'Where' refers to a place or position, and not an event, hence option D is incorrect.