Let’s be honest. When you hear “grammar lesson,” you might think of complicated rules and endless worksheets. But what if I told you that one tiny concept—something you can learn in an afternoon—could instantly make your writing more mature, more detailed, and way more interesting?
That secret weapon is the relative clause.
Don’t let the name intimidate you. You’ve already used these. You just might not have known their official title. Today, we’re going to crack the code on `who`, `which`, and `that`. Mastering these three little words is like leveling up in your writing game.
The Core Idea: Your Sentence Needs a Sidekick
Think of your basic sentence as a superhero. “The scientist made a discovery.” Solid. But kind of vague, right? Which scientist? What kind of discovery?
A relative clause is the superhero’s trusty sidekick. It jumps in to give crucial intel. Its sole job is to identify or give more information about a noun that came before it.
The scientist, who was working in a tiny lab, made a discovery that changed medicine.
See what happened? Now we’re hooked. We have a determined scientist and a world-changing discovery. That’s the power of the relative clause.
Meet the Trio: Who, Which, and That
These three words are the gatekeepers. They introduce the extra information and connect it to the main sentence. Choosing the right one is simple:
1. WHO
Use `who` (or `whom`, but let's stick with `who` for now) for people.
- The athlete who trained every da won the race.
- My friend, who loves fantasy novels, recommended this book.
- She is the teacher who inspired me to write.
2. WHICH
Use `which` for animals and things.
- The library, which was built in 1920, has a secret reading nook.
- I lost the bracelet which you gave me.
- We saw elephants, which are her favorite animal.
3. THAT
Here’s the flexible one. Use `that` for animals, things, and sometimes informal references to people.
- The book that I’m reading is incredible. (Thing)
- Is this the dog that knows tricks? (Animal)
- He’s the kind of person that always helps. (Informal for a person)
Pro-Tip: A great rule of thumb for Grade 6: Use `who` for people, and `which` or `that` for everything else. Many writers use `that` for essential info and `which` for extra, comma-filled details, but just knowing the people vs. things rule is a massive win.
The Spy Test: Essential vs. Extra Information
This is the coolest part. Relative clauses act in two ways: as a necessary spy or a chatty extra.
The Necessary Spy (No Commas): This information is crucial. You need it to know exactly who or what you’re talking about.
- "Students who complete their projects early can get extra credit."
- Without the clause, we'd just say "Students can get extra redit." Which students? We need the spy clause to find out.
The Chatty Extra (Use Commas):** This information is interesting but not essential. You could lift it out and the sentence still makes sense.
- "Ms. Jenkins, who has taught here for 20 years, is retiring."
- The core fact is "Ms. Jenkins is retiring." The clause just adds a nice, extra detail.
Why Should You Care? Your Writing Transformation.
Using relative clauses isn’t about obeying grammar police. It’s about gaining power.
Avoid the Robot List: Instead of: "I have a dog. His name is Rocket. He can fetch a tennis ball." Try: "I have a dog named Rocket, who can fetch a tennis ball." Smoother. More connected.
Show, Don’t Just Tell: Instead of: "The old house was creepy." Try: "The old house, which had broken windows and a creaky gate, was creepy." You just painted a picture.
Sound Like a Pro: Combining ideas with relative clauses is what all sophisticated writers do. It makes your essays, stories, and reports flow logically and read effortlessly.
Your Mission: Start Noticing and Creating.
For the next week, be a relative clause detective.
1. Read: Spot them in your books. Notice how authors use them to pack in details.
2. Write: Take two short, choppy sentences and combine them. Find a noun that’s begging for a sidekick and give it one.
3. Experiment: Try writing the same sentence with `who` and `that`, or see if the comma changes the meaning. Play with it!
Remember, `who`, `which`, and `that` aren't just grammar words. They’re your connection tools. They help you link ideas, build vivid scenes, and guide your reader with clarity.
So, the next time you're writing, don't just state the facts. Introduce them. Describe them. Define them. Unleash your new sidekicks and watch your sentences soar.
Now, it's your turn. What's a sentence you can transform with a relative clause? Share your best one in the comments!
