That after everything, all, nothing and the best
Short answer: After everything, all, anything, nothing, only, and after a superlative such as the best or the biggest, use that to add information: All that she wanted was water. It is the tallest tree that I know. That is the standard choice here; do not use who, and which is much less usual. For other things you can use that or which.
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At a glance
| After | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| everything, all, anything, nothing | that | He ate everything that was on the plate. |
| only | that | This is the only thing that I forgot. |
| the best, the biggest, the tallest | that | It is the tallest tree that I know. |
| ordinary nouns | that or which | The book that I read |
In short
- After everything, all, anything, nothing, only and the best / the biggest: that.
- Never which or who after these words.
- For other things: that or which.
What is the rule for “Only that: everything, all, the best”?
The rule
After everything, all, anything, nothing, only and a superlative, use that.
How it looks
everything that · all that · nothing that · the only thing that · the biggest cake that
What it means
that adds information about the word before it.
When to use it
Use it after these small words and after the best, the biggest, the tallest.
How it works
- Spot the small word before the information: everything, all, nothing, only or a superlative.
- Add that and the information: everything that I need.
- Do not add he, she, it or them after that: not everything that I need it.
- Remember the pattern in these set cases, even if which seems natural.
Examples of “Only that: everything, all, the best”
- All that she wanted was a glass of water.
all that. - He ate everything that was on the plate.
everything that. - It is the tallest tree that I know.
the tallest tree that. - This is the only thing that I forgot.
the only thing that. - Nothing that he said was true.
nothing that. - Everything that glitters is not gold.
everything that. - It was the best day that I can remember.
the best day that. - She is the only person that I trust.
the only person that.
Common mistakes with “Only that: everything, all, the best”
Everything which I need is here.→ Everything that I need is here.
After everything we use that.This is the best film which I have seen.→ This is the best film that I have seen.
After the best we use that.All who she wanted was water.→ All that she wanted was water.
After all we use that.Nothing what he said was true.→ Nothing that he said was true.
Use that, not what.It is the only thing which I want.→ It is the only thing that I want.
After the only, use that.
Exceptions: watch out
- only with people
The only boy who can swim is also fine. In this lesson we practice things.
That, which and who
That is the safest choice after the words in this card. Who and which have their own jobs.
| Situation | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| after everything, all, nothing, only | that | all that I need |
| a person | who | the man who called |
| extra information | which / who | My bike, which is red, is old. |
See also: Describing things with that and which
Check yourself
- Fill the gap: “This is the best film ___ I have seen.”
Show the answer
that After the best, use that.
- Fill the gap: “Everything ___ I need is here.”
Show the answer
that After everything, use that.
- Fix: “All who she wanted was water.”
Show the answer
All that she wanted was water. After all, use that.
How to practice “Only that: everything, all, the best”
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: Only that: everything, all, the best
Questions
Can I leave out “that”?
Yes, when that is the object: everything I need. It stays when it is the subject: everything that happened.
Is “which” always wrong here?
It is rare and sounds formal. Use that and you will be safe.
Can I use this pattern with people?
Yes, with only: The only boy who can swim. But that also works. Many writers choose who.
More Texts and Talk rules
- Have you ever …? Experience: have / has + the past form tells about something you did (or never did) in your life, up to now.
- already, yet, just: already, yet and just go with have / has and tell about things that happened a short time ago.
- Present perfect or past simple?: A finished time (yesterday, last week) needs the past simple. Experience up to now needs have + the past form.
- Advice and rules: should, must, have to: should gives advice. must and have to give rules. After them, use the plain action word.
- unless: unless means if not. It says what could stop something.
- as … as, and comparing actions: as … as says two things are the same. not as … as says one is less. For actions use faster or more carefully.
Used in these writing topics
Part of the 📘 Grammar tool. Level G6: Texts and Talk. 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