A
Look at this example sentences:
The woman who lives next door is a doctor.
“who lives next door” – relative clause
A clause is 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 person)
We use who in a relative clause when we are talking about people (not things):
-—————————–
the woman – she lives next door – is a doctor
-> The woman who lives next door is a doctor.
we know a lot of people – they live in the country.
-> We know a lot of people who live in the country.
-—————————–
- An architect is someone who designs buildings.
- What was the name of the person who called you?
- 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 93.
B
When we are talking about things, we use that or which (not who) in a relative clause:
-—————————–
where is the cheese? – it was in the refrigerator.
-> Where is the cheese { that / which } was in the refrigerator?
-—————————–
- I don’t like stories that have unhappy endings. (or stories which have …)
- Barbara 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 common that than which, but sometimes ou must use which – see Unit 93.
C
What = “the thing(s) that.” Compare what and that.
– What happened was my fault. (= the thing that happened)
– 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)
D
Remember that in relative clauses we use who/that/which, not he/she/they/it:
– I’ve never spoken to the woman who lives next door. (not the woman she lives)
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