The relative pronoun 'where' replaces 'here' or 'there' specifically. 'Here' and 'there' already contain prepositions as part of their meaning so are never used with them. 'Where' is the same.

Good question! The difference comes down to how "where" and "that" function in a sentence: 1. "Where" already implies location, so no preposition is needed: * The garage where I always go for repairs was closed today. * ("Where" replaces "to which," so "go to" becomes just "go.") 2. "That" is a relative pronoun, not an adverb of place, so we still need "to" for correct grammar: * The garage that I always go to for repairs was closed today. * (Without "to," the sentence would be ungrammatical: "The garage that I always go for repairs" ❌.) So, "where" includes the sense of "to" by itself, but "that" does not—which is why "to" is required when using "that."

You really got me thinking on this one. Technically, I believe #2 is a bad sentence because it contains a dangling preposition. The preposition has no object. Even though such a sentence is commonly spoken, it is wrong. The correct way to say it is: "The garage to which I always go for repairs was closed today" and it does not use "to".

Great question! The difference comes down to how "where" and "that" function in a sentence. 1. "Where" as a Relative Adverb (No Preposition Needed) - "Where" replaces "in which" or "at which", so you don’t need to add "to" because "where" already conveys the location. - Example: - The garage where I always go for repairs was closed today. - (= The garage in which I always go for repairs was closed today.) 2. "That" as a Relative Pronoun (Preposition Needed) - "That" is a pronoun referring to "the garage," but it doesn’t inherently carry the idea of location. - Since "go" is often used with "to" (e.g., I go to the store), you need to keep the preposition. - Example: - The garage that I always go to for repairs was closed today. Summary: - Use "where" when referring to a location—no extra preposition needed. - Use "that" when referring to a noun, but keep the preposition if the verb requires it.

The garage where I always go to for repairs was closed today. (to) is optional in this case, but possible. In a colloquial sense, (to) can be omitted.