The Words Who, Which And That
We use who when referring to people. We use which or that when referring to things or animals.
- The girl came from India. She was welcomed into the school.
- The girl who came from India was welcomed into the school.
- The dress was bought last week. The dress has shrunk.
- The dress which was bought last week has shrunk.
Note that we can use that in place of whom when referring to people.
- The man whom the police were looking for is dead. (OR The man that the police were looking for is dead.)
Other examples are given below.
- Alice is a clever girl. She has been chosen for the quiz.
- Alice, who is a clever girl, has been chosen for the quiz.
- The beaver is a hard-working animal. It is a native of Canada.
- The beaver, which is a hard-working animal, is a native of Canada.
- Peter won the tournament. He plays everyday.
- Peter, who plays everyday, won the tournament.
- The jet was grounded. It had engine trouble.
- The jet, which was grounded, had engine trouble. OR The jet that was grounded had engine trouble.