That: Adding a descriptive clause for an inanimate noun

That / Which

Adding a descriptive clause

An Adjective vs. An Modifying Clause (Relative Clause)

ADJECTIVE	MODIFYING CLAUSE (RELATIVE CLAUSE)
An adjective (word-modifier) is placed before the noun.	A modifying clause (relative clause) is placed after the noun. Either that or which joins the modifying clause to the sentence subject. Both that and which are used with inanimate nouns (things). That is used informally as a personal pronoun.
We traded in our old car for a new one.	We traded in our car that was old for a new one. the car was old
	We traded in our car which was old for a new one. the car was old

trade in (v.) – to give something old as partial payment for something new

Modifiying the Sentence Subject

JOINING THE SUBJECT OF A MODIFYING CLAUSE			JOINING THE OBJECT OF A MODIFYING CLAUSE
Below, that is the subject of the modifying clause.			Below, that is in the object position of the modifying clause. You may omit (delete) that in these clauses.
SUBJECT The car	MODIFYING CLAUSE that you drive object–subject–verb	VERB & COMPLEMENT is green.	SUBJECT The car	MODIFYING CLAUSE that you drive object–subject–verb	VERB & COMPLEMENT is green.
The person	that is inside subject–verb–adverb.	is hiding.	The person	that you can't see object–subject–verb	is hiding.
The car	which is small subject–verb–adjective	is green.	The car	which you drive object–subject–verb	is green.

complement – a word, phrase or clause which is necessary in a sentence to complete its meaning

Modifiying the Sentence Object

SUBJECT PRONOUNS	OBJECT PRONOUNS
Below, that is in the subject position of the modifying clause. Either that or which joins the modifying clause to the sentence o bject. Both that and which are used with (inanimate nouns (things). That is used informally as a personal pronoun.	Below, that is in the object position of the modifying clause. You may omit that (delete) in these clauses.
SUBJECT & VERB Jack drove	OBJECT the car	MODIFYING CLAUSE that you bought. object–subject–verb	SUBJECT & VERB Jack drove	OBJECT the car	MODIFYING CLAUSE that you bought. object–subject–verb
My neighbor hates	the car	that is a gas-guzzler. subject–verb–adverb.	My neighbor hates	the car	that you bought. object–subject–verb

SUBJECT PRONOUNS

OBJECT PRONOUNS

Below, that is in the subject position of the modifying clause. Either that or which joins the modifying clause to the sentence o bject. Both that and which are used with (inanimate nouns (things). That is used informally as a personal pronoun.

Below, that is in the object position of the modifying clause. You may omit that (delete) in these clauses.

SUBJECT & VERB

Jack drove

OBJECT

the car

MODIFYING CLAUSE

that you bought.
object–subject–verb

SUBJECT & VERB

Jack drove

OBJECT

the car

MODIFYING CLAUSE

that you bought.
object–subject–verb

My neighbor hates

the car

that is a gas-guzzler.
subject–verb–adverb.

My neighbor hates

the car

that you bought.
object–subject–verb

gas guzzler – expression for a car that uses a lot of gas, high fuel consumption

Related pages: That vs. Which using commas | Who / Whom using that for people

That / Which

As the subject of the clause

That as the Subject of the Verb in the Modifying Clause (Relative Clause)

JOIN THE SENTENCES	MAIN CLAUSE	MODIFYING CLAUSE
1. Replace the subject noun in the modifying clause (relative clause) with that or which. (The car is the subject noun.)	The car is economical to drive. subject	The car is very small. subject
2. Place the that-clause next to the word it modifies.	The car	that is very small is economical to drive.
3. Add commas if the clause is nonidentifying, adds extra information.	The Smart Car,	which is very small, is economical to drive.

That / Which

As the object of the clause

That as the Object of the Verb in the Modifying Clause

JOIN THE SENTENCES	MAIN CLAUSE	MODIFYING CLAUSE
1. Replace the object noun in the modifying clause (relative clause) with that or which. (The car is the object noun.)	The car is economical to drive. subject	I want to buy the car. object
2. Move that to the front of the modifying clause.		that I want to buy
3. Insert the clause into the sentence next to the word it modifies – car. Optionally, you can omit that, an object pronoun. Omitting that.	The car	(that) I want to buy is economical to drive.
4. Add commas if the clause is nonidentifying, adds extra information.	The Smart Car,	which I want to buy, is economical to drive.

( ) – optionally omit this; omit (v.) – delete, leave out

Common Mistakes

ERROR	FIX
*The car is very economical that holds just two passengers.	The car that holds just two passengers is very economical. Move the clause forward, next to the word it modifies.
*The phone is available that I want to buy.	The phone that I want to buy is available. Move the that -clause next to (after) the word it modifies.
*The car that I want to buy it is economical to drive.	The car that I want to buy [it] is economical to drive. Delete it. Otherwise, there are two pronouns referring to the car.
*The guy which was sitting next to me in the bus was from Ghana.	The guy who was sitting next to me in the bus was from Ghana. Use who as a personal pronoun

*Yellow highlighted words are examples of incorrect usage.

Object Pronouns

Omitting That

When can you omit that?

SUBJECT PRONOUN OF CLAUSE	OBJECT PRONOUN OF CLAUSE
When that takes the place of the subject noun/pronoun of a clause, it cannot be omitted (deleted).	When that takes the place of the object noun/pronoun of a clause, it can optionally be omitted (deleted).
The phone that woke you is here. The phone woke you. subject	The phone (that) you dropped is here. You dropped the phone. object

( ) – optionally omit this; omit (v.) – delete, leave out

How do you know if that takes the place of an object? (This is a method for simple clauses.)

THAT is the SUBJECT	THAT is the OBJECT
When that is followed by a verb, it cannot be omitted. (Because that is taking the place of the subject of the clause.)	When that is followed by a subject noun or pronoun (e.g., I, we, he, she, they, Jack), it can be omitted. (Because that is taking the place of the oject of the clause.)
IS THAT FOLLOWED BY A VERB? The car that drives the best is a sports car. verb That CANNOT be ommitted.	IS THAT FOLLOWED BY A SUBJECT NOUN? The car (that) we enjoy driving is a sports car. subject pronoun That CAN be ommitted.
They guy that sold Jack his car appears to be honest. ) verb That CANNOT be ommitted.	The guy (that / who)Jack spoke to appears to be honest. subject noun That CAN be ommitted.
The driver that possibly hit my car lives next door. adverb + verb That CANNOT be ommitted.	The driver (that / who) Jack and I possibly hit is angry. double- subject pronoun That CAN be ommitted.

Try it — Can you omit that ?

	CAN YOU DELETE THAT OR WHO ?	FEEDBACK
A.	The bicycle — I just bought— is black and silver.
B	The bicycle — is too small for me — is black and silver.

Practice 1

Adding an Modifying Clause (Relative Clause)

Select the response that best completes the sentence.
Compare your response to the answer by clicking the "check" button to the right.

#	YOUR RESPONSE	ANSWER
1	ADD: It holds about 9 gallons. The car averages 39 miles per gallon.
2	ADD: I want one! The car averages 39 miles per gallon. averages (v.) – gets a particular amount over a period of time; "usually gets"
3	ADD: It was parked outside a cafe. When I was in Italy, I admired a Smart car
4	ADD: I drove it across Europe. When I was in Italy, I leased a Smart car
5	ADD: You can park it vertically to the curb. The car is a Smart car. vertically (adv.) – at a 90 degree angle
6	ADD: It is too small for most cars. A parking space is perfect for a Smart car.
7	ADD: Engineers have tested it. The Smart car, , managed to do well in crash tests.
8	ADD: It was tested for head-on crashes. The Smart car, , managed to do well in comparison with other cars.

Practice 2

Omitting the Relative Pronoun

Correct or Incorrect?

Read each sentence and decide if it is correct. Select your response.
Read the feedback to compare your response to the answer.

#	YOUR RESPONSE	CHECK YOUR ANSWER
9.	TRAVELER: Can you tell me when the next flight leaves that goes to Los Angeles.	Correct Incorrect Feedback 9
10.	AGENT: That would be the 6 o'clock flight. TRAVELER: No, the flight which I want leaves in thirty minutes.	Correct Incorrect Feedback 10
11.	AGENT: I believe the five o'clock flight what you want is full.	Correct Incorrect Feedback 11
12.	AGENT: The flight that it leaves at six o'clock has open seats. open (adj.) – term for available seats	Correct Incorrect Feedback 12
13.	TRAVELER: OK. AGENT: Do you want a seat that is next to the window or on the aisle?	Correct Incorrect Feedback 13
14.	TRAVELER: I'd like a window seat please. Do you have one that is in the tail section? AGENT: Let me see.	Correct Incorrect Feedback 14
15.	AGENT: Yes, I do. OK. The boarding pass that I am giving you is for seat number 29C.	Correct Incorrect Feedback 15
16.	TRAVELER: Thank you. This is a trip which I am looking forward to — home!	Correct Incorrect Feedback 16

Also see Clause Reduc 1

Grammar-Quizzes.com

PRACTICE ON POINTS OF ENGLISH GRAMMAR

That / Which

Adding a descriptive clause

An Adjective vs. An Modifying Clause (Relative Clause)

Modifiying the Sentence Subject

Modifiying the Sentence Object

That / Which

As the subject of the clause

That as the Subject of the Verb in the Modifying Clause (Relative Clause)

That / Which

As the object of the clause

That as the Object of the Verb in the Modifying Clause

Common Mistakes

Object Pronouns

Omitting That

When can you omit that?

Try it — Can you omit that ?

Practice 1

Adding an Modifying Clause (Relative Clause)

Practice 2

Omitting the Relative Pronoun

Correct or Incorrect?