Relative Pronouns: Using 'That' for People & Things
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.'
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
Thatas Subject: "She's the scientist that discovered the new exoplanet." Here,thatrefers tothe scientistand is the subject ofdiscovered.Thatis performing the action of discovering.Thatas Object: "This is the concept that the professor explained yesterday." In this instance,thatrefers tothe conceptand is the object ofexplained.The professoris the subject performing the action of explaining.That(the concept) was explained.
Formation Pattern
When To Use It
- 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 informationtells 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 weekis essential to identify which security update is being referred to. - In everyday, informal contexts:
Thatis highly common in casual conversation, social media, and informal writing because it often sounds more natural and less formal thanwhoorwhichin 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.
- 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,
thatcannot introduce non-defining clause.My sisteris already uniquely identified.) - Correct (Non-defining): "My sister, who lives in Berlin, is visiting next month." (Non-essential:
who lives in Berlinis extra information aboutmy sister.)
Common Mistakes
- 1Using
thatin Non-Defining Relative Clauses: This is perhaps the most frequent error. Remember,thatis strictly reserved for defining clauses. If the information in the relative clause is merely supplementary and not crucial for identifying the noun, you must usewho(for people) orwhich(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 caris already specific enough; the informationI bought last weekis 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 bossis already identified;is a brilliant strategistprovides additional detail.) - Correct: "My boss, who is a brilliant strategist, often works late."
- 1Omitting
thatwhen it is the Subject of the Relative Clause: Whilethatcan 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." (
thatis the subject ofdesigned.)
- 1Over-Formalizing with
whichorwhoin Defining Clauses: Althoughwhoandwhichare grammatically acceptable in defining clauses, relying on them exclusively, especially in informal contexts, can make your English sound stiff or overly formal.Thatoften 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."
- 1Using
thatafter Prepositions: In standard formal English,thatcannot directly follow a preposition in a relative clause. Instead,whichis used for things, andwhom(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."
- 1Confusing
thatwith Demonstrative Pronouns: Be careful not to confuse the relative pronounthatwith the demonstrative pronounthat, which points to a specific item. The context clearly differentiates these uses. "That is the car that I want to buy." (Demonstrativethatfollowed by relativethat.)
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
thatalways replacewhoorwhich? - A: No, not universally.
Thatis 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 usewhofor people andwhichfor things, and the clause must be set off by commas. Attempting to usethatin non-defining clauses is a common grammatical error.
- Q: Is
thatconsidered more informal thanwhoorwhich? - A: Yes, generally. While
whoandwhichare grammatically correct in defining clauses,thatoften lends a more colloquial and natural tone to both spoken and informal written English. Usingthatcan make your language sound less formal and more aligned with contemporary usage, especially in casual communication.
- Q: When is it permissible to omit
thatfrom a sentence? - A: You can omit
thatwhen 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 omitthatwhen 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 verbansweredwithout a subject.
- Q: Does
thatchange form based on singular or plural nouns? - A: No,
thatremains 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 ofthatitself does not change, nor does it affect verb agreement within the relative clause.
- Q: Can
thatbe used directly after a preposition? - A: In standard, formal English, no. Prepositions typically precede
whichfor things (e.g., "the city in which I grew up") orwhomfor 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
thatandwhichin defining clauses? - A: When used in defining clauses,
thatandwhichare often interchangeable, particularly in informal contexts. However,thatis exclusively for defining clauses, whereaswhichcan introduce both defining and non-defining clauses. The crucial distinction is thatwhichis mandatory for non-defining clauses (extra information, always with commas), whilethatis strictly forbidden in those cases.
- Q: Why might
thatbe considered a more 'efficient' pronoun? - A:
Thatis 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.
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.”
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.”
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
| 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
The individual who is responsible for this project. (Workplace)
The person that is in charge of this project. (Workplace)
The guy that's running this. (Workplace)
The one that's calling the shots. (Workplace)
The Versatility of '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
Examples by Level
The boy that I like is tall.
I have the book that you want.
The dog that is black is mine.
This is the cake that I made.
The movie that we saw was great.
Is this the person that called you?
I lost the watch that my dad gave me.
The restaurant that serves pizza is closed.
He is the only student that passed the test.
The problems that we are facing are difficult.
It’s the most beautiful place that I’ve visited.
The people that live in this city are very friendly.
The strategy that the board proposed was rejected.
There is nothing that can be done at this stage.
The individuals that were involved have been notified.
It was the lack of communication that caused the error.
The sheer audacity that he displayed was shocking.
It is the nuance that 'that' provides which is often overlooked.
All that remains is to sign the final documents.
The very thing that I feared has happened.
Such was the fervor that the speech inspired in the crowd.
The ease with which he spoke belied the anxiety that he felt.
It is not the destination but the journey that matters.
The data that were collected suggest a significant shift.
Easily Confused
Learners use 'which' for essential info or 'that' with commas.
Using 'what' to refer back to a noun.
Thinking 'that' is only for things.
Common Mistakes
The man he that is tall.
The man that is tall.
I like the book what you gave me.
I like the book that you gave me.
The girl that she lives here.
The girl that lives here.
The car that I bought it.
The car that I bought.
The house, that is blue, is mine.
The house that is blue is mine.
The person which I saw.
The person that I saw.
Everything which he said was true.
Everything that he said was true.
The man, that I met yesterday, is a doctor.
The man I met yesterday is a doctor.
The company for that I work.
The company that I work for.
He is the best player who I know.
He is the best player that I know.
The data that was collected...
The data that were collected...
Sentence Patterns
The ___ that I ___ is ___.
He/She is the only ___ that ___.
It was the ___ that ___.
Everything that ___ is ___.
Real World Usage
Did you find the keys that you lost?
I have the experience that your team is looking for.
Show me the items that are on sale.
The girl that I follow just posted a new video!
Take the bus that goes to the airport.
The meal that I ordered hasn't arrived.
The Finger Test
The Comma Trap
Sound Like a Native
People are 'Who' too
Smart Tips
Swap 'that' for 'who' to sound more professional.
Always use 'that' instead of 'which'.
Drop the 'that' if there is another subject right after it.
Stick with 'that' to avoid sounding awkward.
Pronunciation
The Weak Form
In relative clauses, 'that' is usually unstressed and pronounced with a schwa /ðət/.
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
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
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
The phone ___ I bought is broken.
Find and fix the mistake:
The man, that is wearing a hat, is my uncle.
It's the best movie ___ I've ever seen.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
El coche que compré es rápido.
Answer starts with: The...
A. The man that lives here. B. The book that I read.
Is there anything ___ I can do to help?
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesThe phone ___ I bought is broken.
Find and fix the mistake:
The man, that is wearing a hat, is my uncle.
It's the best movie ___ I've ever seen.
lost / I / the / that / watch / gave / you / me
1. The book... 2. The person... 3. Everything...
El coche que compré es rápido.
A. The man that lives here. B. The book that I read.
Is there anything ___ I can do to help?
Score: /8
Practice Bank
11 exercisesThe book ___ you lent me was fantastic.
I love the new cafe, that just opened downtown.
Which sentence is correct?
Translate into English: 'Vi la película que ganó el Oscar.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the noun with the correct pronoun for a defining clause:
The company ___ I applied to sent me an email.
He's the scientist which discovered the new element.
Which of these sentences is correct?
Translate into English: 'Ella es la persona que admiro más.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
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
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
que
Spanish uses 'que' even in non-defining clauses where English must use 'who' or 'which'.
que / qui
English 'that' doesn't change form based on subject/object role (though it can be omitted as an object).
der / die / das
English 'that' is gender-neutral and much simpler.
None (Adnominal clause)
The word order is completely reversed compared to English.
al-ladhi (الذي)
Arabic requires a 'resumptive pronoun' later in the clause (e.g., 'The book that I read IT').
de (的)
Like Japanese, the modifier comes before the noun, whereas 'that' comes after.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Learn These First
Relative Pronouns: Using 'Who' for People
Overview Mastering relative pronouns is a turning point in your journey to English fluency. These words act as bridges,...
Relative Pronouns: 'Which' for Things
Overview You often need to provide additional, essential information about a noun without starting a completely new sent...
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