B1 Relative Clauses 14 min read Medium

Relative Pronouns: 'Which' for Things

Use which to naturally add crucial info about things, animals, or ideas.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use 'which' to give more information about objects, animals, or ideas without starting a new sentence.

  • Use 'which' only for things and animals, never for people. Example: 'The book which I read.'
  • In non-defining clauses (extra info), always use a comma before 'which'. Example: 'My car, which is old, broke.'
  • In defining clauses (essential info), 'which' can often be replaced by 'that' in informal English.
Object + which + [Verb/Subject + Verb]

Overview

You want to tell more about a thing. You can use one sentence. Use a word to connect ideas.

Use "which" for things or animals. It helps people know what you mean. It makes your talk clear.

Now, use "which" for important details. These details show exactly what you mean. The sentence needs these details.

Use "which" to write well. You do not need to say words twice. Your talk will be clear.

How This Grammar Works

This word "which" takes the place of a word. Use it to join two ideas. This makes one long and good sentence.
The part with "which" describes a thing. It works like a describing word.
Look at these: "I read a book." and "The book was great." Join them: "I read a book which was great." "Which" replaces "the book." It tells more about the book.
"Which" can do the action. Or the action can happen to it.
  • When which is the subject, it performs the action of the verb in the relative clause. For instance, in The car which broke down was old, which is the subject of broke down.
  • When which is the object, it receives the action of the verb in the relative clause, and there will be a separate subject performing the action. For example, in The film which I watched last night was excellent, I is the subject of watched, and which is the object of watched. Understanding this distinction is crucial because it affects whether which can be omitted, as you will see later.

Formation Pattern

1
Put "which" right after the thing you describe. This makes your meaning clear. There are two ways to use it.
2
1. "Which" does the action:
3
Here, "which" is the thing doing the action. The action word comes next.
4
| Thing | which | Action word | Other words |
5
|:-------------------------------------|:--------|:---------------------------------|:----------------------|
6
| The report | which | needs to be finished | is on your desk. |
7
| The dog | which | barked loudly | kept me awake. |
8
| The software | which | tracks inventory | is very efficient. |
9
Examples:
10
The new phone which has a great camera is very popular. (Here, which is the subject of has).
11
The old building which stands on the hill is a museum. (which is the subject of stands).
12
The idea which seemed revolutionary failed to gain support. (which is the subject of seemed).
13
2. The action happens to "which":
14
Here, someone else does the action. The action happens to "which".
15
| Thing | which | Person or thing | Action word | Other words |
16
|:-------------------------------------|:--------|:-----------------------------|:---------------------------------|:----------------------|
17
| The book | which | I | recommended | is out of print. |
18
| The problem | which | they | discussed | was complex. |
19
| The movie | which | you | watched last night | was excellent. |
20
Examples:
21
This is the presentation which I prepared for the meeting. (You prepared which).
22
The email which she sent was important. (She sent it).
23
The tools which we used were borrowed from a friend. (We used which).
24
3. Use "which" with words like "in" or "to":
25
You can put "in" or "to" before "which". This sounds very formal.
26
| Thing | Word like in/to | which | Person | Action word | Other words |
27
|:-----------------|:------------|:--------|:--------|:------------|:----------------------|
28
| The topic | about | which | we | spoke | was controversial. |
29
| The table | on | which | the book| lay | was antique. |
30
When talking to friends, put "in" or "to" at the end.
31
Formal: The issue about which we are concerned is urgent.
32
Informal: The issue which we are concerned about is urgent.
33
Formal: This is the chair in which I found the old coins.
34
Informal: This is the chair which I found the old coins in.
35
Learn both ways. But usually, put the small word at the end.

When To Use It

Use "which" to tell more about things. It helps people know which thing you mean. It makes sentences better.
1. To pick one thing from many:
Use "which" to show one thing in a group. This information is very important. We need it to understand.
  • I need the document which was signed yesterday. (There might be many documents, but you need the specific one signed yesterday).
  • She chose the dress which had embroidered flowers. (Not just any dress, but the one with a particular design).
  • The application which crashed earlier is working now. (Identifying the specific application that caused a problem).
2. To give important details:
The word which adds important details about a thing. It helps you understand the thing better.
  • He bought a new software which helps manage his finances. (The software's function is key to understanding its value).
  • They visited a museum which displayed modern art from the 20th century. (The type of art is essential context for the museum).
  • I admire her ability to solve problems which others find impossible. (The difficulty of the problems defines her ability).
Use which to join two short sentences. It makes your English sound more natural. Example: I saw a film which was good.
Use which in school and at work. It helps you give clear and good details.

Common Mistakes

Many people make mistakes with which. Learn how to use it well. This will help you talk better.
1. Using which for People:
Use which for things and animals. Use who for people. Do not use which for a person.
  • Incorrect: My friend which lives in London is visiting next week.
  • Correct: My friend who lives in London is visiting next week.
  • Incorrect: The doctor which treated me was very kind.
  • Correct: The doctor who treated me was very kind.
English uses different words for people and things. This makes your sentences clear.
Do not forget to use the word which.
Sometimes you can take out which. But often you must keep it. Without it, the sentence is hard to understand.
  • Which as object (can be omitted):
  • The book (which) I read was excellent. (Here, I is the subject of read, which is the object. Omission is possible.)
  • The car (which) they bought is red. (they is the subject of bought, which is the object. Omission is possible.)
  • Which as subject (cannot be omitted):
  • Incorrect: The device needs repair has a broken screen. (This sentence is missing a subject for needs repair.)
  • Correct: The device which needs repair has a broken screen. (which is the subject of needs repair).
  • Incorrect: The dog is barking is a golden retriever. (Missing a subject for is barking.)
  • Correct: The dog which is barking is a golden retriever.
Every action needs a word like which. You must keep which before the action word.
Putting the words in the wrong place.
Put which next to the word you describe. Do not put it too far away.
  • Ambiguous: I saw a man with a telescope which was looking at the moon. (Was the man looking at the moon, or was the telescope looking at the moon?)
  • Clearer: I saw a man who was looking at the moon with a telescope. (If the man was looking).
  • Clearer: I saw a man with a telescope which had powerful lenses. (If the telescope had powerful lenses).
Words that describe things must be close to those things. This helps people understand you.
Using the word which or that.
You can use that or which for things. Which is more formal. Both are correct for things.
  • The computer which crashed lost all my data. (Correct, which is fine.)
  • The computer that crashed lost all my data. (Correct, that is also fine here.)
You can choose that or which. Which is always good for things.
5. Confusing which with whose:
Use whose to show who owns something. Which does not show who owns things.
  • Incorrect: The car which owner is famous is parked outside.
  • Correct: The car whose owner is famous is parked outside.
  • Correct: The car which is parked outside belongs to a famous owner.
Use the right word to show who owns what.

Real Conversations

Which is a cornerstone of natural English, allowing speakers to communicate detailed information efficiently. Observing its use in everyday contexts demonstrates its versatility and importance.

In Casual Conversation/Texting:

You'll use which constantly to elaborate on things you're discussing, making your messages more informative without being clunky.

- "Did you watch that new series which everyone's recommending? The one which has all the time travel?"

- "I need to fix the bike which I lent you. The chain which broke was brand new."

- "My favorite cafe, which is near the park, makes the best coffee."

- "Found this amazing recipe which uses only five ingredients. So easy!"

In Professional or Academic Settings:

Which enables precise descriptions and specifications, crucial for clarity in reports, presentations, and discussions.

- "We need to analyze the data which was collected last quarter."

- "The proposal which outlines the project scope requires your immediate review."

- "Could you provide the feedback which relates to the user interface?"

- "The research methodology, which was developed over several months, ensures reliability."

On Social Media/Online Forums:

When describing experiences, products, or opinions, which helps users add context and detail effectively.

- "Just tried a new restaurant which serves incredible vegan dishes! Highly recommend it." (Instagram caption)

- "Anyone know a good app which helps with learning languages? Looking for one which tracks progress effectively." (Online forum query)

- "This documentary, which exposes the issues with fast fashion, really changed my perspective." (Tweet)

- "Reading a book which challenges conventional wisdom on economic growth." (LinkedIn post)

These examples highlight how which seamlessly integrates descriptive clauses into sentences, making communication richer and more detailed across various communication channels. It allows for the expression of complex thoughts in a clear, concise manner, reflecting how native speakers build coherent narratives.

Quick FAQ

Do you have more questions about which? Here are some common answers.
  • Q: Can I always use that instead of which for things?
  • A: In defining relative clauses (where the information is essential), that can often replace which. For example, The car which I bought is synonymous with The car that I bought. However, which is sometimes preferred in formal writing, and that cannot be used in non-defining clauses (those set off by commas, providing extra, non-essential information), which are typically introduced by which. At the B1 level, you can generally use either in defining clauses for things, but remember which is always correct.
  • Q: Does which always follow the noun directly?
  • A: Yes, for clarity, the relative clause introduced by which should follow the noun it describes as immediately as possible. Placing other words or phrases between the noun and its relative clause can lead to ambiguity about what which refers to. For example, I saw a man with a dog which was barking is clearer than I saw a man which was barking with a dog.
  • Q: What's the main difference between who and which?
  • A: The distinction is based on whether you are referring to a person or a thing/animal/idea. Use who for people (e.g., The student who aced the exam), and use which for things, animals, and abstract ideas (e.g., The computer which crashed). This is a fundamental rule for correct relative pronoun usage.
  • Q: Can which be used with prepositions?
  • A: Yes. You can use the formal structure preposition + which (e.g., The topic about which we spoke). In everyday, informal English, it is much more common to place the preposition at the end of the relative clause (e.g., The topic which we spoke about). Both are grammatically correct, but the latter is more frequently encountered in conversational contexts.
  • Q: Is a comma always needed before which?
  • A: No, not always. For defining relative clauses (the focus at B1), which provide essential information, you typically do not use a comma before which. Commas are used for non-defining relative clauses, which give additional, non-essential information and can be removed without changing the core meaning of the sentence. Since your primary use of which at this level will be in defining clauses, you will often find no comma before it.
  • Q: What if the clause refers to an entire previous clause or idea, not just a single noun?
  • A: This is a more advanced usage, but which can sometimes refer to a whole preceding statement or idea. For example, He passed the exam, which surprised everyone. Here, which refers to the fact that "he passed the exam." This is typically a non-defining clause and thus requires a comma. While common, focus first on which modifying a specific noun.
  • Q: Can I use which when talking about a group that includes both people and things?
  • A: When a relative clause modifies a combined antecedent of people and things (e.g., the students and their projects), that is often preferred or used as a neutral choice. For example, I saw the students and their projects that won awards. If you want to specify the things, you might rephrase or use separate clauses for clarity.

Using 'Which' in Different Roles

Role Structure Example Notes
Subject
Noun + which + Verb
The car which crashed...
'Which' acts as the subject.
Object
Noun + which + Subject + Verb
The car which I bought...
'Which' acts as the object.
With Preposition (Formal)
Noun + Prep + which + Subj + Verb
The house in which I live...
Common in formal writing.
With Preposition (Informal)
Noun + which + Subj + Verb + Prep
The house which I live in...
Common in spoken English.
Sentential
Clause + , + which + Verb
It rained, which was bad.
Refers to the whole situation.

Meanings

A relative pronoun used to introduce a relative clause that provides additional information about a noun that is not a person (objects, animals, concepts, or whole situations).

1

Defining Relative Clause

Used to identify exactly which object we are talking about. The information is essential to the sentence.

“The umbrella which I lost yesterday was blue.”

“Where is the letter which arrived this morning?”

2

Non-Defining Relative Clause

Used to add extra, non-essential information about an object. It is always separated by commas.

“My house, which was built in 1920, needs repairs.”

“The movie, which lasted three hours, was very boring.”

3

Sentential Relative Clause

Used to refer back to the entire previous clause or sentence rather than just a single noun.

“He arrived late, which annoyed everyone.”

“She passed the exam, which was a huge relief.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Relative Pronouns: 'Which' for Things
Form Structure Example
Defining (Essential)
Noun + which + Clause
The book which is on the table is mine.
Non-Defining (Extra)
Noun + , which + Clause + ,
My car, which is old, still works.
Negative
Noun + which + do/be + not + Verb
The plan which didn't work was expensive.
Question
Is this the noun + which + ...?
Is this the phone which you lost?
Possessive (Formal)
Noun + of which + ...
The house, the roof of which is red...
Sentential
Sentence + , which + Verb
She won, which was amazing.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
The vehicle which was acquired last month is performing well.

The vehicle which was acquired last month is performing well. (Purchasing a car)

Neutral
The car which I bought last month is running great.

The car which I bought last month is running great. (Purchasing a car)

Informal
The car I got last month is great.

The car I got last month is great. (Purchasing a car)

Slang
That ride which I copped is fire.

That ride which I copped is fire. (Purchasing a car)

The World of 'Which'

Which

Usage

  • Objects The table which...
  • Animals The cat which...
  • Ideas The theory which...

Types

  • Defining Essential info
  • Non-defining Extra info (commas)

Who vs. Which

Who
People The man who...
Which
Things The car which...

Choosing Between Which and That

1

Is the info essential?

YES
Use 'that' or 'which'
NO
Use 'which' with commas
2

Is it after a comma?

YES
Must use 'which'
NO
Can use 'that'

Common Antecedents for 'Which'

💻

Technology

  • • Laptop
  • • Software
  • • App
🌳

Nature

  • • Tree
  • • River
  • • Weather
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Examples by Level

1

I have a car which is red.

2

This is the book which I like.

3

The dog which is in the garden is mine.

4

I want the cake which has chocolate.

1

The phone which I bought yesterday is broken.

2

Is this the bus which goes to the airport?

3

I lost the keys which were on the table.

4

The movie which we saw was very funny.

1

My computer, which is quite old, is very slow.

2

He forgot my birthday, which made me sad.

3

The hotel which we stayed in was near the beach.

4

I need a job which allows me to work from home.

1

The document to which you are referring is lost.

2

The city, which was founded in 1200, is famous for its art.

3

They offered me a promotion, which I immediately accepted.

4

The criteria by which we judge success are changing.

1

The proposal, the merits of which are debatable, was rejected.

2

He was late for the meeting, which fact he failed to mention.

3

The system, which had been failing for years, finally collapsed.

4

It was a decision from which there was no turning back.

1

The treaty, the signing of which heralded a new era, was brief.

2

She argued that the law was unjust, which view was widely shared.

3

The company went bankrupt, which outcome surprised no one.

4

We reached the summit at noon, by which time the fog had lifted.

Easily Confused

Relative Pronouns: 'Which' for Things vs Which vs. That

Learners often use 'that' after a comma or 'which' without a comma when they shouldn't.

Relative Pronouns: 'Which' for Things vs Which vs. Who

Using 'which' for people or 'who' for objects.

Relative Pronouns: 'Which' for Things vs Which vs. What

Using 'what' to join two sentences.

Common Mistakes

✗

The man which is tall.

✓

The man who is tall.

Use 'who' for people, not 'which'.
✗

The book it is good.

✓

The book which is good.

When joining sentences, 'which' replaces 'it'.
✗

I like the cat who is black.

✓

I like the cat which is black.

Animals usually take 'which' unless they are pets with names.
✗

The car which it is red.

✓

The car which is red.

Don't use a double subject ('which' and 'it').
✗

The movie what I saw.

✓

The movie which I saw.

Don't use 'what' as a relative pronoun.
✗

The pen which I write with it.

✓

The pen which I write with.

Remove the object pronoun 'it' at the end.
✗

The house where I bought.

✓

The house which I bought.

Use 'which' for objects, 'where' for locations only if you are talking about the place *in* which something happens.
✗

My car, that is old, broke down.

✓

My car, which is old, broke down.

You cannot use 'that' in non-defining clauses (with commas).
✗

He was late that was annoying.

✓

He was late, which was annoying.

Use 'which' to refer to a whole situation.
✗

The city which I live is big.

✓

The city which I live in is big.

Don't forget the preposition if the verb needs one.
✗

The company who's profits are high.

✓

The company, the profits of which are high.

In very formal English, 'of which' is preferred for inanimate objects over 'whose'.

Sentence Patterns

I have a ___ which ___.

The ___ which I ___ is ___.

My ___, which is ___, is ___.

___, which meant that ___.

Real World Usage

Online Shopping very common

I want to return the shoes which I ordered last week.

Job Interviews common

I am looking for a role which offers growth opportunities.

Texting Friends constant

I lost my phone, which is why I didn't call.

Travel/Tourism common

Is this the museum which has the Picasso paintings?

Technical Support occasional

Click the button which is located in the top right corner.

Social Media very common

Check out this sunset, which was taken without a filter!

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💡

The Comma Test

If you can put the 'which' part in brackets () and the sentence still works, you need commas. If you can't, you don't.
⚠️

No 'Which' for People

Even if you really like someone, they aren't an object! Always use 'who' for humans.
🎯

Omission

If 'which' is the object (e.g., 'The book which I read'), you can just delete 'which' to sound more like a native speaker: 'The book I read'.
💬

Which vs That

If you are in the US, use 'that' for essential info. If you are in the UK, 'which' is perfectly fine for both.

Smart Tips

Use 'which' instead of 'that' to sound more professional and precise.

I received the file that you sent. → I received the file which you sent.

Use ', which' at the end of your sentence to share your opinion.

I passed the test. I am happy. → I passed the test, which makes me very happy.

Never use 'that' after a comma in a relative clause. It's always 'which'.

My car, that is blue, is fast. → My car, which is blue, is fast.

Try removing 'which' to see if the sentence sounds more natural in speech.

The movie which I saw was great. → The movie I saw was great.

Pronunciation

/wɪtʃ/

The 'wh' sound

In most modern English dialects, 'which' is pronounced exactly like 'witch' /wɪtʃ/. Some older or regional dialects (like Scottish) might use a voiceless 'w' /hw/.

My car [pause] which is old [pause] broke.

Comma Intonation

In non-defining clauses, there is a slight drop in pitch and a brief pause where the commas are.

Non-defining drop

The cake, ↘ which was chocolate, ↗ was eaten.

The information inside the commas is parenthetical (extra).

Memorize It

Mnemonic

W-H-I-C-H: Whatever Has Inanimate Characteristics Here.

Visual Association

Imagine a giant question mark (?) turning into a bridge. The bridge connects a box (the object) to a label (the description). The bridge is made of the letters W-H-I-C-H.

Rhyme

For a person use 'who', for a thing 'which' will do.

Story

A robot named 'Which' only collects objects. He picks up a 'ball which is round' and a 'box which is heavy'. He never picks up people because he doesn't understand 'who' they are.

Word Web

ObjectAnimalIdeaCommaRelativeClauseConnector

Challenge

Look around your room. Pick 5 objects and describe them using 'which'. (e.g., 'The chair which is near the window is brown.')

Cultural Notes

American style guides (like APA or Chicago) are very strict about using 'that' for defining clauses and 'which' only for non-defining clauses.

British English is more flexible. It is very common to hear 'which' used in defining clauses where an American would almost always use 'that'.

In academic writing globally, 'which' is preferred for its precision, especially when used with prepositions like 'in which' or 'by which'.

From Old English 'hwilc', which was originally a question word meaning 'of what form'.

Conversation Starters

“

What is a movie which you have seen many times?

“

Tell me about a hobby which you started recently.

“

Describe a city which you would love to visit.

“

Think of a problem in your town which needs to be fixed.

Journal Prompts

Write about three objects in your house which are very important to you. Explain why.
Describe a difficult situation you faced recently, which had a surprising outcome.
Compare two technologies which have changed the world. Use both defining and non-defining clauses.
Write a formal letter complaining about a product which did not meet your expectations.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Choose the correct relative pronoun. Multiple Choice

The car ___ I bought is very fast.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: which
We use 'which' for objects like cars.
Find and fix the mistake. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

The man which lives next door is a doctor.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The man who lives next door is a doctor.
You must use 'who' for people.
Fill in the blank with 'which' and a comma if necessary.

My bike ___ is in the garage is broken.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: which
This is a defining clause (identifying which bike), so no comma is needed.
Combine the sentences using 'which'. Sentence Transformation

I have a new phone. It has a great camera.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I have a new phone which has a great camera.
'Which' replaces 'it' and acts as the subject.
Is the following sentence grammatically correct? True False Rule

Paris, that is the capital of France, is beautiful.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
You cannot use 'that' in a non-defining clause (between commas). You must use 'which'.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Why are you upset? B: I lost my wallet, ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: which was annoying
Use a sentential relative clause to comment on the situation.
Which sentence is a 'Non-Defining' clause? Grammar Sorting

Select the non-defining clause.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The book, which I read yesterday, was good.
Non-defining clauses use commas and provide extra info.
Match the start and end of the sentences. Match Pairs

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

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1-which I built, 2-which was sad, 3-which barked
All these antecedents (house, situation, dog) take 'which'.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Choose the correct relative pronoun. Multiple Choice

The car ___ I bought is very fast.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: which
We use 'which' for objects like cars.
Find and fix the mistake. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

The man which lives next door is a doctor.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The man who lives next door is a doctor.
You must use 'who' for people.
Fill in the blank with 'which' and a comma if necessary.

My bike ___ is in the garage is broken.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: which
This is a defining clause (identifying which bike), so no comma is needed.
Combine the sentences using 'which'. Sentence Transformation

I have a new phone. It has a great camera.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I have a new phone which has a great camera.
'Which' replaces 'it' and acts as the subject.
Is the following sentence grammatically correct? True False Rule

Paris, that is the capital of France, is beautiful.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
You cannot use 'that' in a non-defining clause (between commas). You must use 'which'.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Why are you upset? B: I lost my wallet, ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: which was annoying
Use a sentential relative clause to comment on the situation.
Which sentence is a 'Non-Defining' clause? Grammar Sorting

Select the non-defining clause.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The book, which I read yesterday, was good.
Non-defining clauses use commas and provide extra info.
Match the start and end of the sentences. Match Pairs

1. The house... 2. He lied... 3. The dog...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1-which I built, 2-which was sad, 3-which barked
All these antecedents (house, situation, dog) take 'which'.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

13 exercises
Choose the correct form Fill in the Blank

The laptop ___ I use for work is very fast.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: which
Which sentence is correct? Multiple Choice

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: This is the song which makes me happy.
Choose the correct form Fill in the Blank

Do you know the café ___ has outdoor seating?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: which
Match the noun with the correct relative pronoun: Match Pairs

Match the subjects with the correct form:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: matched
Find and fix the mistake Error Correction

The movie, who was nominated for an Oscar, is streaming now.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The movie, which was nominated for an Oscar, is streaming now.
Type the correct English sentence Translation

Translate into English: 'Ella tiene un perro que siempre duerme en su cama.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["She has a dog which always sleeps on her bed.","She has a dog that always sleeps on her bed."]
Put the words in order Sentence Reorder

Arrange these words into a sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The book which I recommend is great.
Choose the correct form Fill in the Blank

The concept ___ he explained was quite complex.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: which
Find and fix the mistake Error Correction

I found the keys was under the couch.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I found the keys which were under the couch.
Put the words in order Sentence Reorder

Arrange these words into a sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The reason for which he gave the explanation was not clear.
Type the correct English sentence Translation

Translate into English: 'El software, sin el cual no podemos operar, requiere una actualización.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["The software, without which we cannot operate, requires an update."]
Which sentence demonstrates the most formal use of 'which'? Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The report, for which the deadline passed, was approved.
Find and fix the mistake Error Correction

The painting, you bought, is beautiful.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The painting, which you bought, is beautiful.

Score: /13

FAQ (8)

No, 'which' is strictly for things, animals, and ideas. For people, always use `who` or `whom`.

Use a comma if the information is 'extra' (non-defining). If the information is essential to identify the object, don't use a comma.

In American English, `that` is preferred for essential information. In British English, both are fine. However, only `which` can be used for extra information after a comma.

Yes, but only if it is the object of the clause (e.g., 'The book (which) I bought'). If it is the subject (e.g., 'The book which is on the table'), you must keep it.

It's when `which` refers to the whole previous sentence, not just one word. Example: 'He won, which surprised us.'

Yes, 'which' is the standard pronoun for animals. However, if the animal is a pet with a name, many people use `who`.

It is slightly more formal than `that` in defining clauses, but it is neutral in most other contexts.

It is a formal way to show possession for things. Example: 'The car, the door of which was open...' (Instead of 'whose door').

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In Other Languages

Spanish moderate

que / el cual

English distinguishes between 'who' (people) and 'which' (things), whereas Spanish often uses 'que' for both.

French moderate

qui / que / lequel

French relative pronouns change based on grammatical function (subject/object) rather than person/thing.

German partial

der / die / das / welcher

German relative pronouns have gender (masculine/feminine/neuter), while English 'which' is gender-neutral.

Japanese none

Attributive form

Japanese uses word order (modifier before noun) instead of a connecting word like 'which'.

Arabic partial

al-ladhi (الذي)

English 'which' is much simpler as it doesn't change for number or gender.

Chinese low

de (的)

The structure is reversed: [Description] + de + [Noun].

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Relative Pronouns: Using 'Who' for People
Next
Relative Pronouns: Using 'That' for People & Things

Learn These First

B1 Requires

Defining Relative Clauses: Identifying People & Things

Overview Defining relative clauses are essential grammatical structures in English that provide crucial, identifying inf...

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B1 Builds On

Relative Pronouns: Using 'That' for People & Things

Overview Identifying and describing people or things with precision is fundamental to effective communication in Englis...

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