Grammar: Choosing the Correct Relative Pronoun

The sentence requires a relative pronoun to connect the main clause ("Suresh's dog is the one") with the descriptive clause ("______ was hurt in the stampede"). The relative pronoun must refer to "the one," which represents the dog.

Analyzing Relative Pronoun Options

Let's examine the options based on the antecedent ("dog," an animal) and the function within the dependent clause:

• Option 1: $that$: This relative pronoun can refer to people, animals, or things. It is commonly used in restrictive clauses (clauses essential to the sentence's meaning), especially when referring to animals or objects. Here, $that$ acts as the subject of "was hurt."
• Option 2: $which$: This relative pronoun typically refers to animals or things. While it can be used in restrictive clauses, $that$ is often preferred in this context.
• Option 3: $who$: This relative pronoun is used exclusively for people. Since the antecedent is a dog, $who$ is incorrect.
• Option 4: $whom$: This relative pronoun is the objective case used for people. It is incorrect for both people (as the subject) and animals.

Selecting the Most Appropriate Pronoun

The clause "______ was hurt in the stampede" is a restrictive clause, specifying which dog is being discussed. For restrictive clauses referring to animals or things, $that$ is generally the most appropriate and versatile choice. It correctly links the defining characteristic (being hurt) to the dog.

Therefore, the completed sentence is: "Suresh's dog is the one that was hurt in the stampede."