How to Use THAT, WHICH, and WHO (What's the difference?)

This video uses simple English and lots of easy-to-understand examples to make sure that you understand how to use the relative pronouns THAT, WHICH, and WHO.

I'm Teacher Mike, and I'm an English (ESL/EFL) teacher from the United States.

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[TeacherMikeEnglish]

I said that question words at the beginning of relative clause are called relative pronouns. Actually, they can be relative pronouns or relative adverbs depending which word it is an how you use it. Sorry I forgot to differentiate between them.

[evelynquinonez]

Those are my birds, which are playful and lovely.
I read the book rhat you recommended me.
The car that was stolen last month, was found in a river.
The subject that I liked best in school was history.
My mom, who is honest and reliable, loves doing the gardening in her free time.
My dad, who is hardworking and funny, loves playing the guitar.

[tarasonone]

Your videos are useful to get working knowledge of English in day to day life.

[evelynquinonez]

A few days ago, I had a dream where you were my English teacher in a classroom. After the class, a student, who was sitting next to me, told you that he loves the way you teach, and that he only wants to learn from you because your classes are always amazing. I replied to him saying: teacher Mike said that we should follow different teachers on Facebook in order to learn more from all of them. You smiled and told me "you are so right, Evelyn."
That was my dream that was funny.😊😊

[moudey]

I like the lesson about relative clause and relative pronoun that you teach today.I want to go to Darjeeling which is famous for hills and tea gardens.I do not know about that person who called me yesterday.

[mubaraksedige]

God bless you teacher Mike I love your lesson and it is very helpful ❤❤

[evelynquinonez]

I had a dream where I told you about the time I was in the hospital for a week. My parents who I love so, were too worried for my health. The doctors didn't know why my hemoglobin was 5.5 which was too low for a young person. Luckily, I totally recovered, and the day I left the hospital, was the happiest of my life.
The good thing was that my dream was in English.😊

[silviaestevez]

Thanks a lot for the clear explanation of this confusing topic. I still remember how bad and confusing way was this topic was at school. You made a complicated subject easy to understand

[lenafoss]

You are amazing!!!! Every your explanation is priceless !!!

[evelynquinonez]

It's a great lesson that was perfectly explained, our Super Teacher. Thanks a lot.😊😊

[guermahfatiha]

This is the best explanation I have ever had about relative pronouns. Your presentation is very smooth .Thanks I would say :you are the teacher who I admire most.🎉🎉🎉

[ksxmzol]

Teacher Maik, thank for you, you explain this rule by examples very easy I want it more complicated

[Buthainaneam-sniglev]

Thank you, Teacher.
That's already so useful video❤

[katerynavolkova-shapovalen]

Dear TeacherMikeEnglish, thank you very much for this video. I'm just giving this material to my students, but the thing is that the information, which is presented in our books, is a bit different. We usually explain that there are relative pronouns and relative adverbs (e.g. "where" is a relative adverb, not a pronoun) and students and teachers as well sometimes find it not easy to define that, which and defining and non-defining relative clauses. Many thanks for all your videos!

[deleonherreratommyjosue]

Thanks teacher mike
I'm b1.2 and this is one topic that i have to study and you explain so easy

I really like your content about topics though sometimes I'm not able to remember or use them 😅

[vankhoanguyen]

In my country, Halloween this year is very sad due to the COVID, which has hurt the economy. My uncle wanted to dress up as a priest, a dream that he had since childhood. However, my mom, who raised him as a mother, suggested that he dress up as an angel.
Thank you so much, Mike.

[rhea]

Fast cars, which have been around for several generations, always catch a guy's eye.😍

[EwaGawenda-imdn]

Great video😊. Thanks a lot. I miss your live video. 😔

[lolyruiz]

Then "That" is used to introduce an essential relative clause, which provides necessary information.

Example:

The book that I borrowed from the library is very interesting.

Whereas "Which" is used to introduce a non-essential relative clause, which provides additional information.

Example: The book, which was written by my favorite author, is very interesting.

In summary, use "that" when the information in the relative clause is crucial for understanding the noun and the phrase has sense and use "which" when the information in the relative clause is additional or non-essential.

[Sapito-nddf]

Rabito is the name of the movie that tell us the story of a street dog whose owners died in the sea. Rabito who was helped by a good woman, has been waiting for their owners for years.
The upcoming movie which is based in true events, will touch the hearts of millions of people. 😊😊