English grammar
Who for people, that/which for things
Describe people and things using "who" and "that".
From the scene The neighbour who knows everything
In short
Use who for people and that or which for things. Never what: the neighbour who knows everything.
Your turn
Which one goes with another person: who?
Options: the postman who comes every day · the neighbour who knows everything · the things that / which are missing
Show answer
another person: who → the postman who comes every day
How it works
Use who for people (the neighbour who knows everything) and that or which for things (the things that are missing).
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
I also know the neighbour (blank) lives alone on the third floor.
Options: who · which · what
Show answer
I also know the neighbour who lives alone on the third floor.
También conozco a la vecina que vive sola en el tercero.
Good to know
That is also fine for people, but who is never used for things.
Good to know
When who is the subject of its part of the sentence, you can't leave it out: the person who came in.
Good to know
Never use what here: NOT "the neighbour what knows".
a person: who the neighbour who knows everything
Elena
Of course. I'm the neighbour who knows everything.
Claro. Soy la vecina que lo sabe todo.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Of course. I'm (blank).
Options: the postman who comes every day · which are missing · the neighbour who knows everything
Show answer
Elena
Of course. I'm the neighbour who knows everything.
Claro. Soy la vecina que lo sabe todo.
another person: who the postman who comes every day
Elena
I know the postman who comes every day.
Conozco al cartero que pasa cada día.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
I know (blank).
Options: which are missing · the postman who comes every day · the neighbour who knows everything
Show answer
Elena
I know the postman who comes every day.
Conozco al cartero que pasa cada día.
things: that / which the things that / which are missing
Nuria
And do you know anything about the things that are missing?
¿Y sabe algo de las cosas que faltan?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
And do you know anything about (blank) are missing?
Options: the neighbour who knows everything · the postman who comes every day · the things that
Show answer
Nuria
And do you know anything about the things that are missing?
¿Y sabe algo de las cosas que faltan?
never what the person who came in (NOT "what came in")
Nuria
So, do you know the person who came in?
Entonces, ¿conoce a la persona que entró?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
So, do you know (blank)?
Options: the postman who comes every day · the person who came in · the neighbour who knows everything
Show answer
Nuria
So, do you know the person who came in?
Entonces, ¿conoce a la persona que entró?
Common mistake
Not who or what here. Things, not people — never who for objects.
And do you know anything about the things that are missing?
¿Y sabe algo de las cosas que faltan?
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| a person: who | the neighbour who knows everything |
|---|---|
| another person: who | the postman who comes every day |
| things: that / which | the things that / which are missing |
| never what | the person who came in (NOT "what came in") |
More lines from the story
- ElenaI also know the neighbour who lives alone on the third floor.También conozco a la vecina que vive sola en el tercero.
- ElenaI know there's a person who doesn't sleep very well.Sé que hay una persona que no duerme muy bien.