Simple explanation
What is a relative clause? A relative clause gives more information about a noun. Instead of using two separate sentences, you can connect the information. For example, “I know a woman. She works at the hospital.” can become “I know a woman who works at the hospital.” The part “who works at the hospital” tells us more about the woman. Using who for people At this level, use who when the noun you are describing is a person or a group of people. Put who directly after that noun. For example, in “The man who lives next door is a doctor,” the relative clause “who lives next door” tells us which man we are talking about. Using which for things and animals Use which to give more information about things and, in basic A2 structures, animals. For example, “I bought a phone which has a good camera.” Here, “which has a good camera” describes the phone. Using that for people and things In many basic relative clauses, that can refer to either people or things. For example, you can say “The woman that works here is friendly” and “The bus that goes to the airport is number 10.” That is especially common in everyday English. How to join two sentences First, find the person or thing that appears in both ideas. Next, decide whether who, which, or that is appropriate. Then remove the repeated subject and connect the information. For example, “I have a friend. He speaks Spanish.” becomes “I have a friend who speaks Spanish.” Do not keep he because who already refers to the friend. Positive, negative, and question structures A relative clause can contain positive or negative information, and it can also appear inside a question. Compare: “I know someone who works here.” “I need a phone that isn't expensive.” “Do you know anyone who speaks German?” The choice of who, which, or that still depends mainly on the noun being described.
Grammar formula
Person with who
person + who + verb + ...I know a girl who speaks French.
Thing with which
thing + which + verb + ...I need a phone which has a good camera.
Person or thing with that
person/thing + that + verb + ...This is the bus that goes to the city centre.
Negative relative clause
noun + who/which/that + negative verb + ...I need a laptop that isn't too expensive.
Question containing a relative clause
question structure + noun + who/which/that + clause?Do you know anyone who speaks German?
Core rules
- 1
Use who for people
Use who after a person or group of people when you want to add information about them: a teacher who helps me, the people who live upstairs.
- 2
Use which for things and animals
Use which after a thing or animal in basic relative clauses: a phone which works well, a dog which loves children.
- 3
Use that for people or things
That can replace who or which in many basic defining relative clauses: a man that works here, a computer that starts quickly.
- 4
Put the relative clause next to its noun
Place the relative clause directly after, or as close as possible to, the noun it describes. This makes it clear which person or thing the information belongs to.
- 5
Do not add another subject pronoun
When who, which, or that is the subject of the relative clause, do not add he, she, they, or it. Say “The woman who works here,” not “The woman who she works here.”
- 6
Keep normal verb forms after the relative word
The verb still agrees with the person or thing described. For example, use “a man who works” but “people who work.” The relative word does not change the normal subject-verb agreement rule.
Useful examples
I have a friend who lives in London.
I have a friend, and this friend lives in London.
Who adds information about a person: friend.
The woman who works at the café is very friendly.
The woman working at the café is very friendly.
The relative clause identifies which woman we mean.
Do you know anyone who can fix computers?
Do you know a person who is able to repair computers?
Who refers to anyone, meaning a person.
This is the book which helped me learn English.
This is the book that helped me with learning English.
Which refers to a thing: book.
We stayed in a hotel which was near the beach.
We stayed at a hotel located close to the beach.
The which-clause gives more information about the hotel.
She has a dog which loves playing in the garden.
She has a dog that really enjoys playing in the garden.
Which can refer to an animal in this basic structure.
I need a bag that is big enough for my laptop.
I need a bag with enough space for my laptop.
That introduces an important detail about the bag.
The man that called you is my uncle.
The man who phoned you is my uncle.
That refers to a person here.
This is the bus that goes to the airport.
This is the bus that travels to the airport.
The relative clause identifies the correct bus.
I don't like films that are very long.
I don't enjoy films when they are very long.
That describes the type of films the speaker does not like.
Students who study regularly usually remember more.
Students who study often and consistently usually remember more information.
Who refers to a group of people.
We need a restaurant that stays open late.
We need a restaurant that does not close early.
That introduces a requirement for the restaurant.
Common mistakes
- ❌ The man which works here is my brother. ✅ The man who works here is my brother. Man is a person, so who is the appropriate basic choice.
- ❌ This is the phone who has a good camera. ✅ This is the phone which has a good camera. Phone is a thing, not a person, so use which. That is also possible in this type of clause.
- ❌ I know a woman who she speaks four languages. ✅ I know a woman who speaks four languages. Who is already the subject of the relative clause, so she must not be added.
- ❌ The car that it is outside is mine. ✅ The car that is outside is mine. That already refers to the car and acts as the subject of the relative clause. It is unnecessary.
- ❌ The boy lives next door who is my friend. ✅ The boy who lives next door is my friend. The relative clause should be placed directly after the noun it describes.
- ❌ I need a laptop who is easy to carry. ✅ I need a laptop that is easy to carry. Laptop is a thing, so who is not appropriate. Use that or which.
- ❌ The people who lives here are friendly. ✅ The people who live here are friendly. The verb agrees with people, which is plural, so use live rather than lives.
Learning tips
- Start by looking at the noun before the relative clause: for a person, think who; for a thing, think which or that.
- At A2 level, a useful starting pattern is who = people, which = things and animals, and that = often people or things.
- After who, which, or that, check that you have not added an unnecessary subject such as he, she, they, or it.
- Keep the relative clause close to the noun it describes so that your meaning is clear.
- A useful practice method is to write two short sentences about the same person or thing and then combine them into one sentence.
- Check subject-verb agreement inside the relative clause: “a person who works” but “people who work.”
Practise this topic
Interactive exercises for this topic are coming soon.
PlannedRelated grammar
Related dictionary words
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between who and which?
In basic relative clauses, who is used for people, while which is used mainly for things and animals. For example: “a woman who works here” and “a phone which is easy to use.”
Can I use that instead of who or which?
Yes, in many basic defining relative clauses. That can refer to people or things, as in “a person that helps me” and “a book that explains grammar.” More advanced relative clause structures have additional rules.
Why can't I say “the woman who she works here”?
Because who is already the subject of the relative clause and refers to the woman. Adding she creates an unnecessary second subject. Say “the woman who works here.”
Can I use which for people?
Not in the normal A2 relative clauses taught here. Use who for people. Use which mainly for things and animals.
How do I choose between who, which, and that?
First identify the noun being described. If it is a person, who is the main choice. If it is a thing or animal, use which. In many basic defining relative clauses, that can be used for either people or things.
Does the relative clause have to come directly after the noun?
It normally comes directly after, or very close to, the noun it describes. This keeps the meaning clear and shows exactly which person or thing the extra information refers to.
Why do we say “people who work” but “a person who works”?
The verb agrees with the noun that who refers to. Person is singular, so we use works. People is plural, so we use work.