B1Relative Clauses

Where or That

What is it?

"Where" and "that" (or "which") can both be used to introduce relative clauses referring to places. "Where" replaces "in which" or "at which" and directly signals a location. "That" or "which" can also be used, but the preposition ("in", "at", "to") must be included. Understanding which to use helps you sound more natural and accurate.

How to form it

Subject	Positive	Negative	Question
where (= in which / at which)	This is the school where I studied.	The town where she grew up no longer exists.	Is that the café where you met?
that/which + preposition	This is the school that I studied in.	The town which she grew up in no longer exists.	Is that the café that you met in?
Formal: preposition + which	This is the school in which I studied.
Non-defining: where or which	London, where I grew up, is a huge city.	The office, which she commutes to, is very far.

• "Where" can replace "in which", "at which", or "to which" when referring to a place.
• If you use "which" or "that", you must add the preposition at the end: "the town that she grew up in".
• In formal writing, the preposition comes before "which": "the town in which she grew up".
• "Where" is more natural and common in everyday speech.
• "Where" can be used in both defining and non-defining clauses.
• Do NOT use "where" to introduce a clause that is NOT about a location: "The reason where I left" is wrong — use "why".

When to use it

1
"Where" for places in defining clauses
That's the park where we used to play.
2
"Where" for places in non-defining clauses
My hometown, where my parents still live, is in the south.
3
"That/which + preposition" as alternative
That's the park that we used to play in.
4
Formal: preposition + which
The building in which the meeting took place was very old.
5
Do not confuse "where" (place) with "when" (time) or "why" (reason)
The day when I arrived. / The reason why she left.

Common mistakes

The house which I grew up is very old.

The house where I grew up is very old. / The house which I grew up in is very old.

If using "which", you must include the preposition "in". Or replace with "where".

That is the town where I was born in.

That is the town where I was born.

"Where" already means "in which" — adding "in" again is redundant.

This is the reason where I called.

This is the reason why I called.

"Where" is for places. Use "why" after "reason".

Quick reference

"Where" = "in/at which" — used for places.
"That/which" can also refer to places, but the preposition must follow.
Formal alternative: preposition + "which": "in which", "at which".
Never add a preposition after "where" — it's already included.
Don't confuse "where" (place) with "when" (time) or "why" (reason).

Natural conversation example

Two old friends catch up over coffee.

Sol

Do you remember the school where we met?

Faye

Of course! It was that old building that we used to hang out in after class.

Sol

I went back last year. The café where we always had lunch is still there.

Faye

No way! That place where we used to sit for hours with one coffee?

Sol

Exactly. And the park where we had that end-of-year party is now a car park.

Faye

That's sad. I have such good memories of that town.

Sol

Me too. It's the kind of place where everyone knows everyone.

Faye

A place like that — where you feel completely at home — is hard to find.

Practice Exercises

Fill in "where" or add the missing preposition after "which/that". Write the full clause.

1.
The hotel __ we stayed was very comfortable.
2.
That's the office that she commutes __ every day.
3.
The university __ he studied is ranked in the top ten.
4.
Is this the pub that you were telling me __?
5.
Rome, __ I spent a week last summer, is incredible.
6.
The conference room __ the meeting was held was tiny.
7.
That's the bench that we always sat __ as children.
8.
The island __ they filmed the documentary is very remote.
9.
This is the warehouse which the goods are stored __.
10.
The village __ my grandmother was born no longer exists.

Which or That All Topics Who or Whom

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