Relative pronouns are essential connectors in English grammar. They link a noun (antecedent) or even a whole clause with additional information, making sentences precise and meaningful. Among them, the pronoun “that” holds a special place because of its flexibility. Unlike who, whom, whose, or which, the word “that” can be applied to both humans and objects, and it often replaces other pronouns in everyday English.
In advanced grammar, “that” is used in multiple contexts — as subject or object, in mixed antecedents, after indefinite pronouns, and more. However, it also has limitations: it cannot be used in comma‑separated clauses, it has no possessive form, and it must follow specific rules to remain grammatically correct.
Relative pronoun “that” English grammar ਵਿੱਚ ਬਹੁਤ ਮਹੱਤਵਪੂਰਨ ਹੈ ਕਿਉਂਕਿ ਇਹ ਮਨੁੱਖਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਵਸਤੂਆਂ ਦੋਵੇਂ ਲਈ ਵਰਤਿਆ ਜਾ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ। ਇਹ subject ਅਤੇ object ਦੋਵੇਂ ਵਜੋਂ ਕੰਮ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ। ਪਰ ਕੁਝ ਖਾਸ ਨਿਯਮ ਹਨ — comma‑separated clauses ਵਿੱਚ “that” ਨਹੀਂ ਵਰਤਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ, ਇਸਦਾ ਕੋਈ possessive form ਨਹੀਂ ਹੁੰਦਾ, ਅਤੇ indefinite pronouns ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ “who” ਜਾਂ “that” ਦੋਵੇਂ ਵਰਤੇ ਜਾ ਸਕਦੇ ਹਨ।
Rule (6): Use of “That” as a Relative Pronoun
The relative pronoun “that” is unique because it can be used for both humans (persons, gods, angels, pets treated as persons) and objects (things). It works in both nominative case (subject) and objective case (object). In practice, “that” often replaces who, whom, or which. This makes it a flexible and widely used connector in everyday English.
Relative pronoun “that” ਮਨੁੱਖਾਂ (ਰੱਬ, ਦੇਵਤੇ, ਪਰੀਆਂ, ਪਾਲਤੂ ਜਾਨਵਰ) ਅਤੇ ਵਸਤੂਆਂ ਦੋਵੇਂ ਲਈ ਵਰਤਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਇਹ nominative case (subject) ਅਤੇ objective case (object) ਵਿੱਚ ਵਰਤਿਆ ਜਾ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ। “That” ਅਕਸਰ who, whom, which ਦੀ ਥਾਂ ਵਰਤਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ।
Examples:
- This is the teacher that taught my children. → “that” replaces who (subject).
- The chair that is red is mine. → “that” replaces which (subject).
- The person that I like most is my father. → “that” replaces whom (object).
Notice that in each case, “that” can stand in place of who, whom, or which without changing the meaning.
ਇਸ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ, “that” subject ਅਤੇ object ਦੋਵੇਂ ਲਈ ਵਰਤਿਆ ਜਾ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ who, whom, which ਦੀ ਥਾਂ ਲਿਆ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ।
Rule (7): “That” Not Used in Comma‑Separated Clauses
When a relative clause is separated by commas (called a non‑defining or continuative clause), the relative pronoun “that” is not allowed. Instead, you must use who, whom, or which, depending on whether the antecedent is a person or a thing.
ਜਦੋਂ relative clause comma (,) ਨਾਲ separate ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ (non‑defining clause), ਤਾਂ “that” ਦਾ ਵਰਤੋਂ ਨਹੀਂ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾਂਦਾ। ਇਸਦੀ ਥਾਂ who, whom, which ਵਰਤੇ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ — antecedent ਮਨੁੱਖ ਹੈ ਜਾਂ ਚੀਜ਼, ਇਸ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ।
Reason:
“That” is only used in defining (restrictive) clauses without commas. In non‑defining clauses, it is grammatically incorrect.
“That” ਸਿਰਫ਼ restrictive (defining) clauses ਵਿੱਚ ਵਰਤਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ ਜਿੱਥੇ comma ਨਹੀਂ ਹੁੰਦਾ। Non‑defining clauses ਵਿੱਚ ਇਹ ਗਲਤ ਹੈ।
Examples:
- Mr. Prasad is a popular leader, that lives in Patna. (Incorrect)
- Mr. Prasad is a popular leader, who lives in Patna. (Correct)
- He has bought a pen, that is black. (Incorrect)
- He has bought a pen, which is black. (Correct)
Key Point: In comma‑separated clauses, always use who/whom/which, never “that.”
Comma‑separated clauses ਵਿੱਚ who/whom/which ਵਰਤਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ, “that” ਨਹੀਂ।
Rule (8): Possessive Form of “That”
The relative pronoun “that” does not have a possessive form. You cannot say “of that” to show ownership. Instead, possession must be expressed using “whose” (for persons/animals) or “of which” (for objects/things). This rule ensures grammatical correctness and clarity in sentences.
Examples:
- The girl of that father teaches in my school is laborious. (Incorrect)
- The girl whose father teaches in my school is laborious. (Correct)
- The pencil of that colour is black is hers. (Incorrect)
- The pencil of which colour is black is hers. (Correct)
Key Point:
Always use whose or of which for possession, never “of that.”
Possession ਦਿਖਾਉਣ ਲਈ ਹਮੇਸ਼ਾ whose ਜਾਂ of which ਵਰਤਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ, “of that” ਨਹੀਂ।
Rule (9): Use of “That” with Two Antecedents
When two antecedents are joined by “and”, and one refers to a person while the other refers to an animal or object, the correct relative pronoun is “that.” In this mixed case, you cannot use who, whom, or which, because they apply only to one category (humans or things). “That” acts as a universal connector for both antecedents together.
ਜਦੋਂ ਦੋ antecedents “and” ਨਾਲ ਜੋੜੇ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਇੱਕ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਅਤੇ ਦੂਜਾ ਜਾਨਵਰ ਜਾਂ ਵਸਤੂ ਹੋਵੇ, ਤਾਂ relative pronoun “that” ਵਰਤਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਇਸ ਹਾਲਤ ਵਿੱਚ who, whom, which ਨਹੀਂ ਵਰਤੇ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਕਿਉਂਕਿ ਇਹ ਸਿਰਫ਼ ਇੱਕ category ਲਈ ਹੀ ਸਹੀ ਹਨ। “That” ਦੋਵੇਂ antecedents ਨੂੰ ਇਕੱਠੇ ਜੋੜਨ ਵਾਲਾ universal connector ਹੈ।
Examples:
- The man and his dog that I saw yesterday have been kidnapped. (Correct)
- The man and his dog who/whom/which I saw yesterday have been kidnapped. (Incorrect)
Key Point:
When antecedents are mixed (human + non‑human), always use “that.”
ਜਦੋਂ antecedents ਮਿਲੇ‑ਜੁਲੇ (ਮਨੁੱਖ + ਅਜੀਵ/ਜਾਨਵਰ) ਹੋਣ, ਤਾਂ ਹਮੇਸ਼ਾ “that” ਵਰਤਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ।
Rule (10): Use of “Who/That” after Indefinite Pronouns
After indefinite pronouns such as Everyone, Everybody, No one, Nobody, Those, the relative pronoun “who” is generally used. However, in modern English, “that” can also be used in place of “who.” Both forms are grammatically correct, so the choice depends on style or preference.
ਜਦੋਂ Everyone, Everybody, No one, Nobody, Those ਵਰਗੇ indefinite pronouns ਆਉਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਤਾਂ ਆਮ ਤੌਰ ‘ਤੇ relative pronoun “who” ਵਰਤਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਪਰ ਆਧੁਨਿਕ English ਵਿੱਚ “that” ਵੀ “who” ਦੀ ਥਾਂ ਵਰਤਿਆ ਜਾ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ। ਦੋਵੇਂ ਹੀ grammar ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਸਹੀ ਹਨ।
Examples:
- Everyone who has visited the Taj Mahal likes it. (Correct)
- Everyone that has visited the Taj Mahal likes it. (Correct)
- Nobody who watched the match will ever forget it. (Correct)
- Nobody that watched the match will ever forget it. (Correct)
- Everyone who knew him liked him. (Correct)
- Everyone that knew him liked him. (Correct)
Key Point:
After everyone, everybody, nobody, no one, those, you may use who or that — both are acceptable.
Everyone, Everybody, Nobody, No one, Those ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ who ਜਾਂ that ਦੋਵੇਂ ਵਰਤੇ ਜਾ ਸਕਦੇ ਹਨ।