RELATIVE PRONOUNS ~ WHO, WHICH, THAT

1
RELATIVE PRONOUNS WHO, WHICH, THAT
WHICH always use commas (sets off extra
information) THAT never use commas (offers
information needed to narrow down whats being
described) WHO commas? DEPENDS ON!
use commas to set off extra
information dont use commas to
give information needed to narrow down
whats being described
2
RELATIVE PRONOUNS WHO, WHICH, THAT
WHICH always use commas (sets off extra
information) My house, which is in Los Feliz, is
for sale.
SPECIFIC
Extra informationnot needed to narrow down which
house or car
Uncle Bobs car, which is worth a fortune, caught
on fire last night.
3
THAT never use commas with that youre
narrowing down whats being described
Narrows down WHICH Volkswagen
The Volkswagen that is parked down the street is
being towed. The stray dog that has the bobbed
tail usually sleeps near the heating grate on
Monroe Ave.
Narrows down WHICH stray dog
4
RELATIVE PRONOUNS WHO, WHICH, THAT
WHO DEPENDS ON! use commas to set
off extra information dont use
commas when you must narrow down
whats being described
SOMEONE SPECIFIC
Not needed to identify Camille
Camille, who wears twisted braids on the side of
her head, looks like Princess Leia. The woman
who wears twisted braids on the side of her head
looks like Princess Leia.
SOMEONE GENERAL
Needed to identify which woman
5
Needed to narrow down which people get on my
nerves
general
People who smack their gum in class get
on my nerves. Gisette who has a penchant
for éclairs plays her cello at two in the
morning. The man who lives next door to
me plays barbershop quartet music late at
night. Pierre who is quite the ladies man
is currently dating the lovely Lola
Lipowich. Women who wear too much perfume
must need a lot of attention.
Not needed to identify Gisette
Specific
,
,
,
,
6
ADD COMMAS, IF NECESSARY, WHERE NECESSARY
General no commas because we have to narrow
down which house.
The house that is painted fuchsia hurts my
eyes. My dollhouse which was designed by
Frank Lloyd Wright is quite unusual. The
woman who wears that funny looking red
sailor hat lives on a houseboat. My Aunt
Lucille who lives in Texas knows several
birdcalls.
Specific we can set off extra into with commas
because we dont need to identify which dollhouse
,
,
General no commas because we have to narrow
down which woman.
Specific we can set off extra into with commas
because we dont need to narrow down who Aunt
Lucille is
,
,