B1 Relative Clauses 12 min read Easy

Relative Pronouns: Using 'That' for People & Things

That is your versatile friend for defining people and things in everyday English.

Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

'That' is the universal connector used to identify specific people or things in essential, comma-free clauses.

  • Use 'that' for people or things in defining clauses: 'The book that I read.'
  • Never use commas before 'that' in relative clauses: 'The man that lives next door.'
  • Omit 'that' if it is the object of the clause: 'The movie (that) we watched.'
Noun + that + [Rest of Clause] ➔ 🎯 Specific Noun

Overview

We use the word 'that' to talk about things. It helps us speak clearly. It tells us exactly which person or thing.

We use 'who' for people and 'which' for things. 'That' is for both people and things. It is a very common word.

How This Grammar Works

The word 'that' joins two parts of a sentence. It gives us important facts. We need these facts to understand the sentence.
For example: 'The car that is red is fast.' 'That' tells us which car. Without it, we do not know the car.
The word 'that' can do two jobs. Sometimes 'that' does the action in the sentence.
Sometimes 'that' is the thing someone else acts on.
Look at the two different ways to use it:
  • That as Subject: "She's the scientist that discovered the new exoplanet." Here, that refers to the scientist and is the subject of discovered. That is performing the action of discovering.
  • That as Object: "This is the concept that the professor explained yesterday." In this instance, that refers to the concept and is the object of explained. The professor is the subject performing the action of explaining. That (the concept) was explained.
Using 'that' makes your sentences shorter and better. You do not have to say the same name twice. It links words well.

Formation Pattern

1
Put 'that' right after the person or thing. Then add the important facts. Do not use commas here.
2
This is how you build the sentence:
3
Person or thing + that + important information
4
Here are the two ways to use this word:
5
| Job of 'that' | Word order | Example | Why |
6
| :------------------ | :---------------------------------------------------- | :----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | :---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
7
| Doing the action | Thing + that + action | 'The girl that won.' | 'That' is the person who did the action. |
8
| Getting the action | Thing + that + person + action | 'The book that I read.' | 'That' is the thing I worked on. |
9
Put 'that' next to the word it describes. If not, people get confused. 'The dog that barked' is easy to understand.

When To Use It

Use 'that' when the information is very important. Without this information, the sentence has no clear meaning.
Use 'that' in these times:
  • To specify a unique item or person: When you need to distinguish one particular noun from a group of similar nouns. For example, "I need the file that has the client's contact information." Here, that has the client's contact information tells you precisely which file is required among potentially many files.
  • When the information is non-negotiable for identification: If the relative clause contains details without which the main clause's subject or object cannot be properly understood. "The security update that was released last week fixed a critical vulnerability." The clause that was released last week is essential to identify which security update is being referred to.
  • In everyday, informal contexts: That is highly common in casual conversation, social media, and informal writing because it often sounds more natural and less formal than who or which in defining clauses. It contributes to a fluid and less rigid sentence structure. "He's the guy that always knows the best coffee shops." sounds more natural than "He's the guy who always knows the best coffee shops" in many informal situations.
Do not use 'that' for extra, small facts. Use 'who' or 'which' with commas for extra facts.
It is important to know the difference.
  • Correct (Defining): "The book that I borrowed from the library is a bestseller." (Essential: identifies which book.)
  • Incorrect (Non-defining): "My sister, that lives in Berlin, is visiting next month." (Incorrect, that cannot introduce non-defining clause. My sister is already uniquely identified.)
  • Correct (Non-defining): "My sister, who lives in Berlin, is visiting next month." (Non-essential: who lives in Berlin is extra information about my sister.)

Common Mistakes

Students often make mistakes with this word. Learning these tips will help you speak better.
  1. 1Using that in Non-Defining Relative Clauses: This is perhaps the most frequent error. Remember, that is strictly reserved for defining clauses. If the information in the relative clause is merely supplementary and not crucial for identifying the noun, you must use who (for people) or which (for things), and the clause must be enclosed by commas. This distinction often trips up even advanced learners.
  • Incorrect: "My new car, that I bought last week, is very fuel-efficient." (My new car is already specific enough; the information I bought last week is extra.)
  • Correct: "My new car, which I bought last week, is very fuel-efficient."
  • Incorrect: "My boss, that is a brilliant strategist, often works late." (My boss is already identified; is a brilliant strategist provides additional detail.)
  • Correct: "My boss, who is a brilliant strategist, often works late."
  1. 1Omitting that when it is the Subject of the Relative Clause: While that can often be omitted when it functions as the object (a concept covered in related grammar rules), it must remain present when it is the subject of the relative clause. Removing a subject pronoun leaves the clause grammatically incomplete and unnatural.
  • Incorrect: "She's the engineer designed the new bridge." (Missing the subject for designed.)
  • Correct: "She's the engineer that designed the new bridge." (that is the subject of designed.)
  1. 1Over-Formalizing with which or who in Defining Clauses: Although who and which are grammatically acceptable in defining clauses, relying on them exclusively, especially in informal contexts, can make your English sound stiff or overly formal. That often lends a more natural, conversational tone. While technically not an error, it reflects a lack of idiomatic awareness.
  • Less Natural (but correct): "This is the film which won the Oscar for Best Picture."
  • More Natural: "This is the film that won the Oscar for Best Picture."
  1. 1Using that after Prepositions: In standard formal English, that cannot directly follow a preposition in a relative clause. Instead, which is used for things, and whom (though often avoided due to its formality) for people. In informal contexts, speakers frequently move the preposition to the end of the relative clause.
  • Incorrect: "The topic about that we were arguing was complex."
  • Correct (Formal): "The topic about which we were arguing was complex."
  • Correct (Informal): "The topic that we were arguing about was complex."
  1. 1Confusing that with Demonstrative Pronouns: Be careful not to confuse the relative pronoun that with the demonstrative pronoun that, which points to a specific item. The context clearly differentiates these uses. "That is the car that I want to buy." (Demonstrative that followed by relative that.)
These rules will help you speak English well. You will be more correct.

Real Conversations

The usage of that in defining relative clauses is pervasive across all forms of contemporary English communication, from casual texts to professional discussions. Its naturalness and efficiency make it a preferred choice for identifying and specifying nouns without unnecessary formality. When you engage with native English speakers or consume English media, you will consistently encounter that in action.

Observe its practical application in various modern contexts:

- Digital Communication (Texting/Social Media): Brevity and directness are prized online. You might see: "Did you see the meme that went viral last night?" or "I love the new feature that they added to the app." In these settings, that helps condense information efficiently.

- Online Reviews and Forums: When discussing products, services, or experiences, that helps pinpoint specific details. "The customer service that I received was excellent." or "I'm looking for a laptop that has good battery life." These examples showcase that's role in making precise recommendations or inquiries.

- Casual Spoken English: In everyday conversations, that frequently replaces who or which due to its less formal sound. You might hear: "He's the barista that always makes my coffee perfectly." or "Do you remember the restaurant that we went to last month?" This reflects a natural preference for a smoother, less stilted flow.

- Workplace Interactions (Informal): Even in a professional setting, especially in team discussions or informal emails, that is common. "Let's review the report that John sent this morning." or "We need to address the bug that was reported in testing." That maintains clarity while keeping the tone collaborative.

- News and Media: Headlines and articles often use that to quickly identify subjects. "The discovery that could change medicine was announced today." or "The team that won the championship celebrated all night." Its conciseness makes it ideal for impactful statements.

By actively noticing how that is used by native speakers in these contexts, you can develop an intuitive understanding of its appropriate application and enhance the naturalness of your own English. Its adaptability makes it an essential component of dynamic and effective communication.

Quick FAQ

  • Q: Can that always replace who or which?
  • A: No, not universally. That is specifically used to introduce defining relative clauses (information essential for identifying the noun). If the relative clause provides non-essential, additional information (a non-defining clause), you must use who for people and which for things, and the clause must be set off by commas. Attempting to use that in non-defining clauses is a common grammatical error.
  • Q: Is that considered more informal than who or which?
  • A: Yes, generally. While who and which are grammatically correct in defining clauses, that often lends a more colloquial and natural tone to both spoken and informal written English. Using that can make your language sound less formal and more aligned with contemporary usage, especially in casual communication.
  • Q: When is it permissible to omit that from a sentence?
  • A: You can omit that when it functions as the object of a defining relative clause. For example, "This is the movie that I watched yesterday" can be shortened to "This is the movie I watched yesterday." However, you cannot omit that when it acts as the subject of the relative clause: "He's the person that answered correctly" cannot become "He's the person answered correctly," as this leaves the verb answered without a subject.
  • Q: Does that change form based on singular or plural nouns?
  • A: No, that remains invariant regardless of whether it refers to a singular or plural noun. For example, you would say "the student that passed the exam" (singular) and "the students that passed the exams" (plural). The form of that itself does not change, nor does it affect verb agreement within the relative clause.
  • Q: Can that be used directly after a preposition?
  • A: In standard, formal English, no. Prepositions typically precede which for things (e.g., "the city in which I grew up") or whom for people in very formal contexts. In informal English, the common practice is to move the preposition to the end of the relative clause: "The city that I grew up in." Avoid structures like "the city in that I grew up."
  • Q: What is the key difference between that and which in defining clauses?
  • A: When used in defining clauses, that and which are often interchangeable, particularly in informal contexts. However, that is exclusively for defining clauses, whereas which can introduce both defining and non-defining clauses. The crucial distinction is that which is mandatory for non-defining clauses (extra information, always with commas), while that is strictly forbidden in those cases.
  • Q: Why might that be considered a more 'efficient' pronoun?
  • A: That is efficient due to its dual capability to refer to both people and things, simplifying pronoun choice. Furthermore, its frequent omissibility when acting as an object allows for more concise sentence structures, especially in rapid communication like texting or casual speech. This inherent flexibility contributes significantly to its high utility in English.

Using 'That' as Subject vs. Object

Role Structure Example Can 'That' be omitted?
Subject
Noun + that + Verb
The man that lives here.
No
Object
Noun + that + Subject + Verb
The man that I met.
Yes
With Superlative
Superlative + Noun + that
The best book that I read.
Yes
With Indefinite
Indefinite Pronoun + that
Something that I need.
Yes

Meanings

A relative pronoun used to introduce a defining (restrictive) relative clause, providing essential information about a noun.

1

Identifying Things

Used to specify a particular object or concept among many.

“Is this the phone that you wanted?”

“The ideas that she proposed were brilliant.”

2

Identifying People

Used to specify a particular person or group.

“The girl that works at the cafe is nice.”

“He is the only person that understands me.”

3

After Superlatives/Indefinites

Preferred over 'who' or 'which' after words like 'all', 'everything', 'nothing', or superlatives.

“It's the best movie that I've ever seen.”

“All that I want is a coffee.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Relative Pronouns: Using 'That' for People & Things
Type Structure Example
Affirmative (Thing)
Noun + that + Clause
The car that I want is red.
Affirmative (Person)
Noun + that + Clause
The teacher that I like is Mrs. Smith.
Negative Clause
Noun + that + Negative Verb
The apps that don't work should be deleted.
Question
Is this the Noun + that...?
Is this the bag that you lost?
Omitted (Object)
Noun + [ø] + Clause
The coffee [that] I drank was cold.
With 'All'
All + that + Clause
All that I need is a nap.
With Superlative
The [est] + Noun + that
The tallest building that I've seen.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
The individual who is responsible for this project.

The individual who is responsible for this project. (Workplace)

Neutral
The person that is in charge of this project.

The person that is in charge of this project. (Workplace)

Informal
The guy that's running this.

The guy that's running this. (Workplace)

Slang
The one that's calling the shots.

The one that's calling the shots. (Workplace)

The Versatility of 'That'

THAT

People

  • The neighbor that... The neighbor who...

Things

  • The phone that... The phone which...

Rules

  • No Commas Essential info only

That vs. Which/Who

That
Essential info The car that I drive (I have many cars, this is the specific one).
Which/Who
Extra info My car, which is red, is fast (I only have one car, the color is extra).

Examples by Level

1

The boy that I like is tall.

2

I have the book that you want.

3

The dog that is black is mine.

4

This is the cake that I made.

1

The movie that we saw was great.

2

Is this the person that called you?

3

I lost the watch that my dad gave me.

4

The restaurant that serves pizza is closed.

1

He is the only student that passed the test.

2

The problems that we are facing are difficult.

3

It’s the most beautiful place that I’ve visited.

4

The people that live in this city are very friendly.

1

The strategy that the board proposed was rejected.

2

There is nothing that can be done at this stage.

3

The individuals that were involved have been notified.

4

It was the lack of communication that caused the error.

1

The sheer audacity that he displayed was shocking.

2

It is the nuance that 'that' provides which is often overlooked.

3

All that remains is to sign the final documents.

4

The very thing that I feared has happened.

1

Such was the fervor that the speech inspired in the crowd.

2

The ease with which he spoke belied the anxiety that he felt.

3

It is not the destination but the journey that matters.

4

The data that were collected suggest a significant shift.

Easily Confused

Relative Pronouns: Using 'That' for People & Things vs That vs. Which

Learners use 'which' for essential info or 'that' with commas.

Relative Pronouns: Using 'That' for People & Things vs That vs. What

Using 'what' to refer back to a noun.

Relative Pronouns: Using 'That' for People & Things vs That vs. Who

Thinking 'that' is only for things.

Common Mistakes

The man he that is tall.

The man that is tall.

Don't use a double subject.

I like the book what you gave me.

I like the book that you gave me.

Don't use 'what' as a relative pronoun for a noun.

The girl that she lives here.

The girl that lives here.

Remove the extra pronoun 'she'.

The car that I bought it.

The car that I bought.

Don't repeat the object.

The house, that is blue, is mine.

The house that is blue is mine.

No commas with 'that'.

The person which I saw.

The person that I saw.

Use 'that' or 'who' for people, not 'which'.

Everything which he said was true.

Everything that he said was true.

Use 'that' after 'everything'.

The man, that I met yesterday, is a doctor.

The man I met yesterday is a doctor.

'That' cannot be used in non-defining clauses (with commas).

The company for that I work.

The company that I work for.

'That' cannot follow a preposition.

He is the best player who I know.

He is the best player that I know.

'That' is preferred after superlatives.

The data that was collected...

The data that were collected...

In formal C1 writing, 'data' is often treated as plural.

Sentence Patterns

The ___ that I ___ is ___.

He/She is the only ___ that ___.

It was the ___ that ___.

Everything that ___ is ___.

Real World Usage

Texting a friend constant

Did you find the keys that you lost?

Job Interview very common

I have the experience that your team is looking for.

Online Shopping common

Show me the items that are on sale.

Social Media very common

The girl that I follow just posted a new video!

Travel / Directions common

Take the bus that goes to the airport.

Food Delivery Apps occasional

The meal that I ordered hasn't arrived.

💡

The Finger Test

If you can point your finger at the specific noun you are talking about, 'that' is usually the right choice.
⚠️

The Comma Trap

If you see a comma, 'that' is probably wrong. Switch to 'who' or 'which'.
🎯

Sound Like a Native

Delete 'that' when it's the object! 'The car I bought' sounds more natural than 'The car that I bought' in conversation.
💬

People are 'Who' too

While 'that' is okay for people, using 'who' makes you sound more polite and educated in formal settings.

Smart Tips

Swap 'that' for 'who' to sound more professional.

The candidate that applied... The candidate who applied...

Always use 'that' instead of 'which'.

Everything which I have is yours. Everything that I have is yours.

Drop the 'that' if there is another subject right after it.

The movie that we watched. The movie we watched.

Stick with 'that' to avoid sounding awkward.

The first person who I saw. The first person that I saw.

Pronunciation

/ðət/

The Weak Form

In relative clauses, 'that' is usually unstressed and pronounced with a schwa /ðət/.

tha-tai

Linking

The 't' in 'that' often links to the next vowel. 'That I' sounds like 'tha-tai'.

No Pause

The book ↘ that I read.

The lack of pause indicates the information is essential.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

THAT is for THE specific one. If you can't live without the info, use THAT.

Visual Association

Imagine a bright laser pointer. When you use 'that', you are pointing a laser at one specific person or thing in a crowd. The laser doesn't work if there are commas (fences) in the way!

Rhyme

For people or things, 'that' is the king; but use no comma, or it's a grammar drama!

Story

A detective is looking for a thief. He says, 'The man THAT stole the jewels had a hat.' Without 'that', he's just talking about any man. 'That' helps him catch the right one.

Word Web

restrictiveessentialdefiningomissionsuperlativeantecedent

Challenge

Look around your room. Identify 5 objects using 'that' (e.g., 'The lamp that is on my desk'). Then, try saying them without 'that' if it's the object.

Cultural Notes

US style guides (like Chicago or APA) are very strict: use 'that' for restrictive clauses and 'which' for non-restrictive. Mixing them is seen as a mistake.

UK speakers are more flexible and often use 'which' even for restrictive clauses without commas.

In very formal papers, 'who' is almost always used for people to show respect/personhood, while 'that' is seen as slightly 'colder'.

From Old English 'þæt', originally a demonstrative pronoun (like 'that one').

Conversation Starters

What is the best gift that you have ever received?

Tell me about a movie that changed your way of thinking.

Is there a person that you really admire?

Describe a place that you want to visit in the future.

Journal Prompts

Write about three things that you cannot live without and why.
Describe the most interesting person that you have met this year.
Reflect on a mistake that you made and what you learned from it.
Discuss a technology that has changed the world for the better.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct


Incorrect

Correct


Incorrect

Correct


Incorrect

Correct

Test Yourself

Fill in the blank with 'that'.

The phone ___ I bought is broken.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: that
'That' is used for things in defining clauses.
Fix the error in the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

The man, that is wearing a hat, is my uncle.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Remove commas
'That' cannot be used with commas in relative clauses.
Choose the best option. Multiple Choice

It's the best movie ___ I've ever seen.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: that
'That' is preferred after superlatives like 'the best'.
Put the words in the correct order. Sentence Reorder

Arrange the words in the correct order:

All words placed

Click words above to build the sentence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I lost the watch that you gave me
The relative clause 'that you gave me' follows the noun 'watch'.
Match the noun to the correct 'that' clause. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1-A, 2-B, 3-C
Nouns must logically match the action in the clause.
Translate to English. Translation

El coche que compré es rápido.

Answer starts with: The...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The car that I bought is fast.
Standard relative clause structure.
In which sentence can 'that' be omitted? Multiple Choice

A. The man that lives here. B. The book that I read.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: B
'That' can be omitted when it is the object of the clause.
Complete the sentence.

Is there anything ___ I can do to help?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: that
'That' is used after indefinite pronouns like 'anything'.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank with 'that'.

The phone ___ I bought is broken.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: that
'That' is used for things in defining clauses.
Fix the error in the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

The man, that is wearing a hat, is my uncle.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Remove commas
'That' cannot be used with commas in relative clauses.
Choose the best option. Multiple Choice

It's the best movie ___ I've ever seen.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: that
'That' is preferred after superlatives like 'the best'.
Put the words in the correct order. Sentence Reorder

lost / I / the / that / watch / gave / you / me

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I lost the watch that you gave me
The relative clause 'that you gave me' follows the noun 'watch'.
Match the noun to the correct 'that' clause. Match Pairs

1. The book... 2. The person... 3. Everything...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1-A, 2-B, 3-C
Nouns must logically match the action in the clause.
Translate to English. Translation

El coche que compré es rápido.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The car that I bought is fast.
Standard relative clause structure.
In which sentence can 'that' be omitted? Multiple Choice

A. The man that lives here. B. The book that I read.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: B
'That' can be omitted when it is the object of the clause.
Complete the sentence.

Is there anything ___ I can do to help?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: that
'That' is used after indefinite pronouns like 'anything'.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

11 exercises
Complete the sentence with the best option. Fill in the Blank

The book ___ you lent me was fantastic.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: that
Identify and correct the error. Error Correction

I love the new cafe, that just opened downtown.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I love the new cafe that just opened downtown.
Select the grammatically correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: She’s the artist who painted this mural.
Translate the sentence into English. Translation

Translate into English: 'Vi la película que ganó el Oscar.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["I saw the movie that won the Oscar."]
Unscramble the words to form a coherent sentence. Sentence Reorder

Arrange these words into a sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The car that needs repair is mine.
Match the noun with the appropriate defining relative pronoun. Match Pairs

Match the noun with the correct pronoun for a defining clause:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: matched
Choose the most appropriate relative pronoun. Fill in the Blank

The company ___ I applied to sent me an email.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: that
Correct the mistake in the sentence. Error Correction

He's the scientist which discovered the new element.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: He's the scientist who discovered the new element.
Pick the sentence that is grammatically sound. Multiple Choice

Which of these sentences is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The software that I use is very user-friendly.
Provide the English translation. Translation

Translate into English: 'Ella es la persona que admiro más.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["She is the person that I admire most.","She is the person who I admire most."]
Order the words to make a meaningful sentence. Sentence Reorder

Arrange these words into a sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The new podcast that everyone is talking about is amazing.

Score: /11

FAQ (8)

Yes, in defining clauses, 'that' is very common for people in spoken English. Example: `The girl that I saw.`

Never use 'that' after a comma or after a preposition like 'in', 'on', or 'with'.

Yes, 'who' is generally preferred in formal writing when referring to people.

No. You can only delete it if it is the object of the clause (e.g., `The book [that] I read`). If it is the subject, you must keep it.

It's a clause that is necessary to identify the noun. Without it, we wouldn't know which noun you mean.

In standard English, 'what' cannot be a relative pronoun. It means 'the thing that'.

Yes, but British speakers often use 'which' in defining clauses more than Americans do.

No, 'that' stays the same for both singular and plural. Example: `The car that...` and `The cars that...`.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

In Other Languages

Spanish high

que

Spanish uses 'que' even in non-defining clauses where English must use 'who' or 'which'.

French moderate

que / qui

English 'that' doesn't change form based on subject/object role (though it can be omitted as an object).

German low

der / die / das

English 'that' is gender-neutral and much simpler.

Japanese none

None (Adnominal clause)

The word order is completely reversed compared to English.

Arabic partial

al-ladhi (الذي)

Arabic requires a 'resumptive pronoun' later in the clause (e.g., 'The book that I read IT').

Chinese low

de (的)

Like Japanese, the modifier comes before the noun, whereas 'that' comes after.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

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