Episode 61: The Man Who Changed Everything

who/that/which (defining relative clauses) — Martin Luther King Jr., 1963 (B1-B2)

Grammar Box

Meaning: Defining relative clauses identify which person, thing, or place we’re talking about. They answer “which one?” and are essential to the sentence’s meaning.

Form: who/that (people), which/that (things), where (places), when (times). No commas before or after the clause.

Example 1: “The speech that changed America happened in 1963.” (Which speech? The one that changed America.)

Example 2: “People who fight for justice inspire others.” (Which people? The ones who fight for justice.)

Common mistake: Wrong: “The man, who gave the speech, was brave.” Better: “The man who gave the speech was brave.” (No commas for defining clauses.)

The Challenge

Luna read a biography and felt confused. “Professor, listen to this: ‘King was a man who changed history.’ Why not just ‘King was a man’? What does ‘who changed history’ add?”

The watch glowed warm in her pocket. Professor Wisdom appeared with a knowing smile. “Sometimes the most important information comes after the name. Let’s witness a moment that defines what we mean by ‘the man who changed everything.'”

The Journey

August 28, 1963. The Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. Over 250,000 people filled the National Mall, their faces turned toward one man standing at the podium. Martin Luther King Jr., a Baptist minister from Alabama who had spent years organizing peaceful protests, prepared to deliver what would become the most famous speech in American history.

This was the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, a demonstration that brought together Americans from every state who believed in equal rights. King had stayed up late revising his prepared remarks, but he didn’t know that his most powerful words would come from the heart, not from the page.

He had faced threats that would have silenced most people, bombings that destroyed his home, arrests that filled his jail cells. Southern governors who opposed integration had called him dangerous. Police chiefs who enforced segregation had unleashed dogs and fire hoses on peaceful marchers that he led. Yet here he stood, representing a movement that refused to answer violence with violence.

As he spoke, his voice gained strength. “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed.” The crowd roared. Gospel singer Mahalia Jackson, who stood nearby, called out: “Tell them about the dream, Martin!” And he did. He set aside his prepared text and spoke from depths that moved even his critics.

The air smelled of summer heat and hope mixed with the fear that change might never come. You could hear the rustling of hundreds of thousands of bodies shifting, the quiet sobs of those who had waited lifetimes for this moment, the thunder of applause that rolled across the reflecting pool. King’s words painted pictures that people who had never experienced discrimination could finally see, bridges that connected hearts which segregation had tried to keep apart.

The Deep Dive

Defining relative clauses tell us which person, thing, or place we mean. Without them, the sentence becomes too general or incomplete. “The man changed history” could refer to anyone. But “The man who gave the ‘I Have a Dream’ speech changed history” identifies exactly which man we’re discussing.

Use who or that for people: “Leaders who inspire others leave lasting legacies.” Use which or that for things: “The speech which King delivered became famous worldwide.” For places, use where: “The memorial where King spoke still attracts millions.” Never use commas with defining clauses because they’re essential to meaning.

The mistake many learners make is adding commas when none are needed. Compare: “Students who study hard succeed” (only the hard-working students) versus “Students, who study hard, succeed” (all students, and by the way they study hard). The comma changes everything. When the information defines which one you mean, skip the commas.

More Examples

History: “The movement that King led changed American law forever, making segregation illegal across the nation.”

Science: “Scientists who challenge accepted theories often face resistance before their ideas gain acceptance.”

Everyday: “The coffee shop where we first met has become our regular meeting place every Sunday.”

Formal: “Policies which promote equality benefit society as a whole by creating opportunities for all citizens.”

Informal: “People that complain all the time drain your energy without offering any solutions.”

Contrast: “The book that changed my life” (defines which book) vs. “This book, which changed my life, costs $15” (adds extra information).

Practice & Reflection

Exercises:

1. Fill in the blank: “Rosa Parks was the woman _____ refused to give up her seat on the bus.”

2. Correct the mistake: “The building, where the signing happened, still stands today.”

3. Choose and explain: Which is correct and why?
   a) “Leaders that inspire others are remembered.”
   b) “Leaders, that inspire others, are remembered.”

4. Rewrite: Combine these sentences using a relative clause: “I met a teacher. She changed my view of history.”

5. Compare: Explain the difference: “The students who passed the test celebrated” vs. “The students, who passed the test, celebrated.”

6. Your reflection: Complete this sentence about someone important in your life: “The person who _____” and explain why this defines them.

Answer Key:
1. who/that — identifies which woman (defining clause, no commas)
2. Remove commas: “The building where the signing happened…” (defining clause)
3. (a) is correct — no commas for defining clauses that identify which leaders
4. “I met a teacher who changed my view of history.” (who introduces defining clause)
5. First = only those students (defining); second = all students (non-defining, wrong punctuation for this meaning)
6. Check: Does your clause identify which person? No commas should appear.

The Lesson

Back in her room, Luna wrote in her journal: “The man who changed everything. Now I understand. It’s not just any man. It’s THE man who did something specific. The clause defines him.”

Professor Wisdom nodded. “Grammar that clarifies meaning becomes a tool for justice. King used words that everyone could understand to describe dreams that seemed impossible. When you choose the right words to define what you mean, you give your ideas the power to change minds.”

Luna smiled. “So every time I use ‘who,’ ‘which,’ or ‘where,’ I’m helping people understand exactly what I’m talking about.”

“Exactly,” the Professor replied. “And that precision, that clarity of expression, is what turns ordinary sentences into messages that people who need to hear them will never forget.”