Relative clauses (who, which, that) add information about a noun. The Digital SAT tests whether you can choose the correct relative pronoun and punctuate the clause properly.
Core Concepts
Who, Which, and That
| Pronoun | Used For | Clause Type |
|---|---|---|
| Who/whom | People | Both |
| Which | Things | Non-restrictive (with commas) |
| That | Things (and sometimes people) | Restrictive (no commas) |
Restrictive vs. Non-Restrictive
Restrictive (essential): identifies which one. No commas. Use that.
- "The book that I borrowed is due today." (Which book? The one I borrowed.)
Non-restrictive (extra information): could be removed. Use commas + which.
- "The book, which I borrowed last week, is due today." (Extra detail about the already-identified book.)
Who vs. Whom
- Who = subject (does the action): "The scientist who discovered the gene..."
- Whom = object (receives the action): "The scientist whom we interviewed..."
Test: Replace with he/she → who. Replace with him/her → whom.
Strategy Tips
Tip 1: That = Essential, Which = Extra
If the clause is necessary to identify the noun, use "that" (no commas). If it's extra info, use "which" (with commas).
Tip 2: The He/Him Test for Who/Whom
"Who/whom did you call?" → "You called him" → "Whom."
Tip 3: Don't Use "Which" Without Commas
On the SAT, "which" should be preceded by a comma (non-restrictive use).
Worked Example: Example 1
"The house _____ was built in 1920 has been renovated."
Answer: "that" (restrictive — identifies which house).
Worked Example: Example 2
"The Eiffel Tower, _____ is located in Paris, attracts millions of visitors."
Answer: "which" (non-restrictive — the Eiffel Tower is already identified).
Key Takeaways
That for restrictive clauses (essential, no commas).
Which for non-restrictive clauses (extra info, with commas).
Who for people as subjects; whom for people as objects.
Commas signal non-restrictive clauses.
