Defining relative clauses: who, which, that, where

• We use defining relative clauses to explain which person, thing, or place we mean. They give essential information about the noun before them.
• Relative pronoun
• Used for
• Example
• who / that
• people
• Dr. Sarah is the doctor who works in Boston.
• which / that
• things
• This is the monitor which checks the pulse.
• where
• places
• That is the room where patients wait.
• Remember
• Use who or that for people.
• Use which or that for things and animals.
• Use where for places.
• Do not put a comma before or after the relative clause.
• Examples
• She is the nurse who helps me in Seattle.
• This is the stretcher which stays in the corridor.
• That is the hospital where Dr. Miller works.
• Common mistakes
• This is the doctor which works in Chicago.
• This is the doctor who works in Chicago.
• That is the clinic who has a new pharmacy.
• That is the clinic which has a new pharmacy.

Complete the sentences

• Dr. Emily is the physician ___ (person pronoun) ____ works in Seattle.
• This is the modern equipment ___ (thing pronoun) ____ we use in Boston.
• That is the maternity ward ___ (place pronoun) ____ newborn babies stay in Chicago.
• Nurse James is the person ___ (person pronoun) ____ helps patients in New York.
• The thermometer ___ (thing pronoun) ____ is on the desk belongs to Seattle Mercy.
• This is the busy laboratory ___ (place pronoun) ____ scientists test blood in Baltimore.

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