That or which? Describing things
Short answer: Use that or which to add information about a thing or an animal: This is the cup that she bought. The house which has a green door is small. That and which already stand for the thing, so do not repeat it: the book that I like, not the book that I like it. For people, use who.
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At a glance
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| thing + that + information | tells which thing | Here is the ball that we lost. |
| thing + which + information | tells which thing | The house which has a green door is small. |
| people | use who | The girl who has a kite |
In short
- that / which add information about a thing.
- Do not repeat the thing: that I like, not that I like it.
- Use who for people.
What is the rule for “Describing things with that and which”?
The rule
that and which add information about a thing or animal.
How it looks
thing + that / which + more information
What it means
They tell us which thing, or more about it.
When to use it
Use them to say which thing you mean.
How it works
- Name the thing first: the cup, the house, the dog.
- Add that or which, then say which one you mean: that she bought, which has a green door.
- Do not repeat the thing after that or which.
- Use who for people. For things, use that or which; that is the simplest choice.
Examples of “Describing things with that and which”
- The house which has a green door is small.
Which house? The one with a green door. - This is the cup that she bought.
Which cup? The one she bought. - The dog that lives next door is quiet.
For animals that works well. - Here is the ball that we lost.
Which ball? The one we lost. - The phone that I lost was new.
that I lost tells which phone. - I like the cake which my mom made.
which my mom made tells which cake. - The cakes that she baked are great.
Plural thing: the verb is are. - The dog that barks all night lives next door.
that barks tells which dog.
Common mistakes with “Describing things with that and which”
This is the book that I like it.→ This is the book that I like.
that already means the book. Do not repeat it.The girl that has a kite…→ The girl who has a kite…
For people who is better.The bag who has a star…→ The bag which has a star…
For things use that or which.The phone what I lost was new.→ The phone that I lost was new.
Use that or which, not what.The cakes that she baked is great.→ The cakes that she baked are great.
The verb matches cakes: are.
Exceptions: watch out
- that or which
In these sentences that and which both work. Use who for people.
That, which and who
All three add information about a noun. The choice depends on what the noun is.
| Noun | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| person | who | the teacher who reads |
| thing | that / which | the book that I read |
| animal | that / which | the dog that barks |
See also: Describing people with who
Check yourself
- Fix: “This is the book that I like it.”
Show the answer
This is the book that I like. That already means the book.
- Choose: “The girl ___ has a kite is my sister.” (who / which)
Show the answer
who A girl is a person.
- Choose: “The bag ___ has a star is mine.” (who / which)
Show the answer
which A bag is a thing.
How to practice “Describing things with that and which”
The interactive version adds step-by-step help, spoken instructions and a quick check. One rule card, one sound lesson and the first lesson of every stone are free to try; the rest is part of Full Access. See Full Access.
- Practice lesson: Describing things with that and which
Questions
Is there a difference between “that” and “which”?
In everyday English they are often used the same way for these sentences. Which is also used after a comma for extra information.
Can I leave out “that”?
Sometimes. When that is the object, you can leave it out: the cup she bought.
Why not “what”?
What is a question word and a noun word (I know what you mean). It cannot join a noun with its description.
More Linking Ideas Further rules
- before and after: before and after put two events in time order. Each part needs its own subject and verb.
- Past continuous: was / were + -ing: was or were + -ing tells what was happening at a time in the past.
- when and while in stories: while goes with the longer action (was / were + -ing). when goes with the short action that interrupts.
- Why we do things: to and so that: To give a reason for an action, use to + the plain action word. so that can be followed by a full idea.
- Describing people with who: who adds information about a person. It takes the place of he or she, so do not say it twice.
- although and even though: although and even though show that two ideas are different. Do not add but.
Used in these writing topics
Part of the 📘 Grammar tool. Level G5: Linking Ideas Further. Đọc bằng tiếng Việt.
Written for English learners by the English for Fun team. How we write our lessons · Last updated 2026-11-05.
Reviewed by Chinh Q. Hoang, PhD, founder, English for Fun · 2026-10-30