Foundation grammar · Unit 101 · B1

a person who ... a thing that/which ... (relative clauses 1)

Conjunctions and clauses

A relative clause tells you which person or thing you mean. Use who for people, which for things, and that for either. Never use which for a person.

Go to the exercises

A What a relative clause does

A burglar is a person who breaks into houses.

who breaks into houses is a relative clause. It tells us what kind of person, or which person, we mean.

  • A burglar is a person who breaks into houses.
  • A kettle is a thing that boils water.

B who for people

Use who for people, not things.

  • A burglar is a person who breaks into houses.
  • Do you know anybody who can fix a bike?
  • The woman who rang didn't leave a message.
  • The people who live upstairs are really noisy.

C that for things or people

Use that for things or people. For people, who is more usual.

  • A kettle is a machine that boils water.
  • Ravi lives in a cottage that is 300 years old.
  • The people that live upstairs are really noisy.

D which for things

Use which for things, not people.

  • A kettle is a machine which boils water. (not a machine who ...)
  • Ravi lives in a cottage which is 300 years old.
  • Do you remember the man who was singing at the wedding? (not the man which ...)

Exercises

101.1 Write sentences: A ... is a person who ... . Match each person with a description: doesn't tell the truth / looks after your teeth / is very clever / plays a musical instrument / is ill in hospital / is very silly / sells meat / steals things.

  1. a thief

    A thief is a person who steals things.

    A thief is a person who steals things.

  2. a butcher

  3. a musician

  4. a patient

  5. a dentist

  6. a fool

  7. a genius

  8. a liar

101.2 Make one sentence from two.

  1. (A woman rang. She didn't leave a message.) The woman ...

    The woman who rang didn't leave a message.

    The woman who rang didn't leave a message.

  2. (A man answered the door. He was wearing a dressing gown.) The man ...

  3. (Some players took part in the trial. Most of them were chosen.) Most of the players ...

  4. (A traffic warden gave me a ticket. She wasn't very friendly.) The traffic warden ...

101.3 Put in who or which.

whowhich

  1. I met a man who has climbed Everest twice.

    I met a man who has climbed Everest twice.

  2. What's the name of the man owns the corner shop?

  3. What's the name of the road goes past the hospital?

  4. Where's the clock used to be on this wall?

  5. Do you know anyone wants a kitten?

  6. You always set puzzles are impossible to solve.

  7. I've got a cousin is brilliant at fixing computers.

  8. I think everyone came to the barbecue had a great time.

  9. Why does she always buy shoes hurt her feet?

101.4 Right or wrong? Correct the mistakes. Write OK if the sentence is correct.

  1. A burglar is a person which breaks into houses.

    A burglar is a person who breaks into houses.

    A burglar is a person who breaks into houses.

  2. A kettle is a machine that boils water.

    OK

    A kettle is a machine that boils water.

  3. A toaster is a machine who makes toast.

  4. Have you seen the keys that were on the shelf?

  5. I can't stand people which are rude to waiters.

  6. I know someone that can give you a lift.

  7. I know someone who works at the library.

  8. Correct the answers who are wrong.

See also