Defining relative clauses – who, which, that, where

Defining relative clauses – who, which, that, where

Exercise 1

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

Defining relative clauses

We use defining relative clauses to specify which person, thing or place we are talking about.

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Who, which, where

• He met the police officer who saved his life.

We use which for things and animals.

• He put on the suit which he wore for special occasions.

We use where for places.

• This is the hotel where we spent our honeymoon.

That

We can use that instead of who or which. But we often use who for people and which/that for things.

Be careful with these common mistakes!

We cannot use what or an expression like that he/she/etc. instead of that, who, etc..

• That’s the student whatI told you about.
• That’s the student that/who I told you about.
• That’s the man hetried to steal my wallet.
• That’s the man that/who tried to steal my wallet.

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