Using relative pronouns where, that or which

When you use where as a relative pronoun, it’s because the embedded

sentence has a preposition.

If the embedded sentence has no preposition, use relative pronouns

that or which.

#1. The store _________ I bought my computer is

having a sale now.

Main Sentence:The store is having a sale now.

Embedded Sentence:I bought my computer at the store.

There is a preposition in the embedded sentence, so we use

the relative pronoun where:

1. The store where I bought my computer is

having a sale now.

#2. Do you book mark the Websites ________ you

visit often?

Main Sentence:Do you mark the Web sites?

Embedded Sentence:You visit the Web sites often.

There is no preposition in the embedded sentence, so we use

the relative pronoun that or which:

2. Do you bookmark the Web sites that you visit

often?

There is no preposition in the embedded sentence, so we use

the relative pronoun that or which:

2. Do you bookmark the Web sites that you visit

often?

Use “where” as relative pronoun to replace the prepositional phrase.

If you keep the preposition after embedding the sentence as an

adjective clause, us which (not that):

#3. The box at the top of your browser is the place in

__________ you type the Web address.

Main Sentence:The box at the top of your

browser is the place.

Embedded Sentence:You type the Web address in the place.

There is a preposition in the embedded sentence, but we are

keeping the preposition in the final sentence, so we use which:

3. The box at the top of your browser is the place

in which you type the Web address.

In this kind of adjective clause, use which. Don’t use that.

It is equally correct to use relative pronoun where to

replace the whole prepositional phrase:

The box at the top of your browser is the

place where you type the Web address.

Now let’s think about

#4. There are web sites ____________ you can

compare prices of electronics

What is the main sentence?

Main Sentence:There are Web sites.

What is the embedded sentence?

Main Sentence:There are Web sites.

Embedded Sentence:You can compare prices of electronics on the Web sites.

Is there a preposition in the embedded sentence?

Yes, there is:

You can compare prices of electronics on the Web sites.

What relative pronoun will you use?

4. There are Web sites where you can compare

prices of electronics.

#5 is similar to #4.

#6 and #7 are similar to #2.

#8 is similar to #4 and #5.

#9 is similar to #3.

Now you’re on your own!