092 : Relative clauses 1: clauses with who/that/which

   A   

Look at this example sentence:

 

A clause is a part of a sentence. A relative clause tells us which person or thing (or what kind of person or thing) the speaker means:

• The woman who lives next door ... ('who lives next door' tells us which woman)
• People who live in the country ... ('who live in the country' tells us what kind of people)

 

We use who in a relative clause when we are talking about people (not things):

 

• An architect is someone who designs buildings.
• What was the name of the person who phoned?
• Anyone who wants to apply for the job must do so by Friday.

 

You can also use that (instead of who), but you can't use which for people:

• The woman that lives next door is a doctor. (not the woman which)

 

Sometimes you must use who (not that) for people - see Unit 95.

 

 

   B   

When we are talking about things, we use that or which (not who) in a relative clause:

 

• I don't like stories that have unhappy endings. (or stories which have ... )
• Grace works for a company that makes furniture. (or a company which makes furniture)
• The machine that broke down is working again now. (or The machine which broke down)

 

That is more usual than which, but sometimes you must use which - see Unit 95.

 

 

   C   

Remember that in relative clauses we use who/that/which, not he/she/they/it.
Compare:

• 'Who's that woman?'  'She lives next door to me.'
  I've never spoken to the woman who lives next door. (not the woman she lives)
• Where is the cheese? It was in the fridge.
  Where is the cheese that was in the fridge? (not the cheese it was)

 

 

   D   

What = 'the thing(s) that'. Compare what and that:

• What happened was my fault. (= the thing that happened)

 

but

• Everything that happened was my fault. (not Everything what happened)
• The machine that broke down is now working again. (not The machine what broke down)