'That', 'which', and 'who' are commonly confused words in English grammar. Understanding the difference between 'that', 'which', and 'who' is important to use them correctly in written and spoken English.
'That', 'which', and 'who' are pronouns that are used to introduce relative clauses in sentences. A relative clause provides additional information about a noun or pronoun in the main clause of a sentence.
Let's take a closer look at the meanings and usage of 'that', 'which', and 'who'.
| 'That' | 'Which' | 'Who' |
|---|---|---|
| The word 'that' is used to introduce a restrictive relative clause, which provides essential information about the noun or pronoun it modifies. It is used to specify or define the noun or pronoun. | The word 'which' is used to introduce a non-restrictive relative clause, which provides additional, non-essential information about the noun or pronoun it modifies. It is used to provide extra details or descriptions. | The word 'who' is used to introduce a relative clause that refers to a person or people. It is used to provide information about the subject of the sentence. |
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To remember the difference between 'that', 'which', and 'who', it can be helpful to remember their specific usage:
- 'That' is used to introduce a restrictive clause that is necessary for the sentence's meaning.
- 'Which' is used to introduce a non-restrictive clause that provides additional information.
- 'Who' is used to introduce a clause that refers to a person or people.
Here are some examples of correct usage:
- The dog that is barking is mine. (restrictive relative clause)
- I bought a new car, which is red. (non-restrictive relative clause)
- The woman who is standing there is my sister. (relative clause referring to a person)
Remembering the correct usage of 'that', 'which', and 'who' will improve your grammar and communication skills.
