RELATIVE PRONOUNS WHO WHICH THAT WHICH

RELATIVE PRONOUNS ~ WHO, WHICH, THAT WHICH ~ always use commas (sets off extra information) THAT ~ never use commas (offers information needed to narrow down what’s being described) WHO ~ commas? DEPENDS ON! ~ use commas to set off extra information ~ don’t use commas to give information needed to narrow down what’s being described

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 information—not needed to narrow down which house or car Uncle Bob’s car, which is worth a fortune, caught on fire last night.

THAT ~ never use commas with “that” ~ you’re narrowing down what’s being described Narrows down WHICH Volkswagen The Volkswagen that is parked down the street is being towed. Narrows down WHICH stray dog The stray dog that has the bobbed tail usually sleeps near the heating grate on Monroe Ave.

RELATIVE PRONOUNS ~ WHO, WHICH, THAT WHO ~ DEPENDS ON! ~ use commas to set off extra information ~ don’t use commas when you must narrow down what’s being described SOMEONE SPECIFIC Not needed to identify Camille, who wears twisted braids on the side of her head, looks like Princess Leia. SOMEONE GENERAL Needed to identify which woman The woman who wears twisted braids on the side of her head looks like Princess Leia.

general Needed to narrow down which people get on my nerves People who smack their gum in class get on my nerves. Specific Not needed to identify 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.

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. Specific ~ we can set off extra into with commas because we don’t need to identify which dollhouse My dollhouse , which was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright , is quite unusual. General ~ no commas because we have to narrow down which woman. The woman who wears that funny looking red sailor hat lives on a houseboat. Specific ~ we can set off extra into with commas because we don’t need to narrow down who Aunt Lucille is My Aunt Lucille, who lives in Texas, knows several birdcalls.