Home of English Grammar

Grammar Guide
  • Home
  • Exercises
  • Matches
  • Rules
  • Tools
    • Grammar Checker
    • Very Replacer
    • Word Counter
  • Top Social Media Posts
  • Various Posts
  • Vocabulary
  • Writing Guides
  • Contact

That instead of when and where

August 24, 2013 - pdf

After common nouns referring to time, we often replace when with that. In some cases, the relative pronoun/adverb is dropped.

You may come any time when you are free. OR You may come any time that you are free.

I will never forget the day when I first met Jane. OR I will never forget the day that I first met Jane.

In a very informal style, the relative pronoun can be dropped.

I will never forget the day I first met Jane.

You may come any time you are free.

The same thing happens with where after somewhere, anywhere, everywhere, nowhere and place.

I need a place where I can spend the night. OR I need a place that I can spend the night.

Note that that is not possible in this case after other words.

For example, we can’t say: We need a room that we can spend the night. (Only where is possible in this case.)

The prepositional phrase ‘in which’ can be replaced by that after way.

I don’t like the way in which she treats her servants. OR I don’t like the way that she treats her servants. OR I don’t like the way she treats her servants.

In the same way, why can be replaced by that after reason.

Do you know the reason why she is angry with me? OR Do you know the reason that she is angry with me?

  • Share
  • Post
  • Post
  • Email
NEW: Try Matches, our daily vocabulary challenge. Pick a topic and level and match words with definitions to boost your vocabulary.
2,485,429 
761,532 
Improve Your Grammar
  • Download 2026 Grammar Guide (PDF)
  • Free Weekly Exercises & Vocabulary
  • Join over 3 Million English Learners
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.

Grammar Checker

GrammarCheck.net - Try online
Hint → Bookmark GrammarCheck for future use.

Latest Posts

  • 100 Words to Describe Bicycles April 29, 2026
  • Why “sinister” and “dexter” started as left and right April 29, 2026
  • 100 Grammar Fixes for Cleaner Sentences April 29, 2026
  • 100 Ways to Change the Subject Smoothly April 29, 2026
  • 100 Words to Describe Lectures April 29, 2026
  • Where “fat cat” comes from, and what it means April 29, 2026
  • Future Continuous Exercise April 29, 2026

Copyright © 2026 · EnglishGrammar.org
Disclaimer · Privacy Policy · Sitemap · Terms

Improve Your Grammar
  • Download 2026 Grammar Guide (PDF)
  • Free Weekly Exercises & Vocabulary
  • Join over 3 Million English Learners
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.