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Relative clauses (who, which, that, where)

B1 (Intermediate)

Rule details

Relative clauses (who, which, that, where)

B1 (Intermediate)

1. How they are formed

who (people)
which (things/animals)
that (people/things)
where (places)

Relative clauses add extra information about a noun.

2. When to use

  • Who for people.
  • Which for things and animals.
  • That for people or things (especially in defining clauses).
  • Where for places.

3. Examples

Who (people):

The teacher who helped me is very kind.

Which (things/animals):

The book which I bought yesterday is interesting.

That (people/things):

The movie that we watched was great.

Where (places):

This is the house where I grew up.

4. Differences and notes

Who vs That

Who is specific for people; that is more general and often informal.

Which vs That

Which is preferred in non-defining clauses; that is common in defining clauses.

Where

Use where with places instead of repeating prepositions and pronouns.

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