While I drink my coffeeRelative clauses: who, which, that, where
A relative clause says which person or thing we mean: who for people, which for things, that for both, where for places, whose for possession.
Which word
the woman who terrified the market, the book which changed his life, the hall where they had the party, the writer whose novel he loved.
You can leave it out
If a new subject follows: the book (that) Leo loved. Not if a verb follows directly: the man who works here.
With commas
Extra information goes between commas: Astrid, who comes from Denmark, is an editor. No that here, and you can’t leave the word out.
| Word | Used for | Example |
|---|---|---|
| who | people | the person who makes me laugh |
| which / that | things | the story that everyone loved |
| where | a place | the balcony where they talked |
| whose | possession | the writer whose book he sold |
You’re the person who makes me laugh.who for a person
the story which everyone lovedwhich for a thing
the balcony where they talkedwhere for a place
Remember: Who for people, which for things, where for places.
Practice
1. She is the editor ___ worked on the novel.
2. This is the book ___ changed my life.
3. That’s the balcony ___ they talked.
4. Nino Calì is the writer ___ novel Leo sold.
5. Astrid, ___ comes from Denmark, is an editor.
6. Tom is the colleague ___ (who/which) organised the tour.
7. Palermo is the city ___ Leo was born.
8. The story ___ Leo told was about his grandmother.