Explanation
Exercises

🔎 Defining Relative Clauses: who · which · that · where

Use a relative clause to identify exactly which person, thing, or place you mean. No commas in defining clauses.
people → who things/animals → which place → where (= in/at which) that = who/which (informal, common)
🧑WHO (people)
USE who + verb to identify a person.
  • He met the police officer who saved his life.
  • That’s the man who called the ambulance.
That for people
  • He’s the neighbour who/that helped us to move out. ✅
📦WHICH (things/animals)
USE which + verb to identify a thing/animal.
  • He put on the suit which he wore for special occasions.
  • Change the cable which/that connects the computer to the printer.
📍WHERE (place)
USE where = “in/at which” for places.
  • This is the hotel where we spent our honeymoon.
  • That’s the café where I met my husband.
Equivalent forms
  • the city where I was born = the city I was born in = the city in which I was born
🔁THAT (people & things)
USE that can replace who or which in defining clauses (very common in speech).
  • He’s the neighbour that helped us.
  • That’s the book that changed my life.
ℹ️
Style notes: We often prefer who for people and which/that for things. Avoid that after a comma (non-defining clauses) or after a preposition in formal writing (the person to whom…).
🧱Structure

Subject relative (can’t omit)

  • That’s the man who saved my life. ✅
  • You must keep who/which/that because it is the subject of the clause.

Object relative (can omit)

  • That’s the student (who/that) I told you about. ✅
  • The car (which/that) I bought is fast. ✅
🚫Common mistakes
  • ❌ That’s the student what I told you about.
    ✅ That’s the student that/who I told you about.
  • ❌ That’s the man he tried to steal my wallet.
    ✅ That’s the man who/that tried to steal my wallet.
  • ❌ Commas in defining clauses: My brother, who lives in Rome, … (this is non-defining).
    ✅ My brother who lives in Rome is a doctor. (defines which brother)
✅Quick checks
  • Identifying a person? → who (or that)
  • Identifying a thing/animal? → which (or that)
  • Talking about a place? → where (= in/at which)
  • Object of the verb? → you can drop the pronoun (The film (which) I saw…)
🧪More natural examples
  • She adopted the puppy which/that nobody wanted. 🐶
  • Do you know anyone who/that speaks Armenian?
  • Is this the USB port where I should plug the keyboard?
  • This is the phone (which/that) I told you about — the battery lasts two days.
Remember: Defining clauses tell us which one. Without them, the sentence would be unclear.
Recap: Use who for people, which for things/animals, where for places. That often replaces who/which in defining clauses. Don’t use what, and don’t put commas in defining relative clauses. 🌟
Exercises:
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3

Defining relative clauses: Who, which, that, where

Choose the correct relative pronouns to complete the following defining relative clauses.

D1Office chat

A:Do you remember the woman interviewed us yesterday? B:Yes, the one works for the new agency. A:I saved the file you asked for. B:Great. Is there a café we can sit and talk?

D2Travel plans

A:We booked a hotel is right next to the beach. B:Is there a room has a balcony? A:I also want to meet the guide you recommended. B:There’s a market they sell handmade crafts.

D3Shopping & repairs

A:Do you know a place I can fix my phone? B:Try the technician repaired my tablet last month. A:Is that the shop has the big blue sign? B:Yes, and they sell accessories are cheaper than online.

Defining relative clauses: Who, which, that, where

Choose the correct relative pronouns to complete the defining relative clauses below.
1
That’s the woman ____ manages our team.
A.
B.
C.
2
The restaurant ____ we had dinner last night was crowded.
A.
B.
C.
3
The book ____ I’m reading is a bestseller.
A.
B.
C.
4
The people ____ live next door are from Canada.
A.
B.
C.
5
The museum ____ opened last year has a great exhibition.
A.
B.
C.
6
Is this the café ____ you told me about?
A.
B.
C.
7
The city ____ my grandparents were born is very small.
A.
B.
C.
8
I don’t like movies ____ are too violent.
A.
B.
C.
9
She’s the engineer ____ designed the new bridge.
A.
B.
C.
10
The folder ____ you saved the files is missing.
A.
B.
C.

Defining relative clauses: Who, which, that, where

Combine the sentences using the relative pronouns who, which, that, where.
1
Two sentences: That’s the neighbour. He helped me when I moved in.
Combined: That’s the neighbour helped me when I moved in.
2
Two sentences: You watched a film yesterday. What’s the name of the film?
Combined: What’s the name of the film you watched yesterday?
3
Two sentences: He drives a car. The car is very expensive.
Combined: The car he drives is very expensive.
4
Two sentences: We met last week in that café. Do you remember the café?
Combined: Do you remember the café we met last week?
5
Two sentences: This is the teacher. The teacher teaches us maths.
Combined: This is the teacher teaches us maths.
6
Two sentences: I told you about a book. The book is here.
Combined: Here’s the book I told you about.
7
Two sentences: My parents live in this city. This city is very green.
Combined: This is the city my parents live.
8
Two sentences: Those people live next door. They’re very friendly.
Combined: The people live next door are very friendly.
9
Two sentences: Jack bought a laptop last month. The laptop is already broken.
Combined: The laptop Jack bought last month is already broken.
10
Two sentences: We saw the dinosaur exhibition in that museum. Do you remember the museum?
Combined: Do you remember the museum we saw the dinosaur exhibition?