When to use "which" instead of "that"?
8 answers from our tutors
The choice between which and that depends on whether you are introducing a restrictive clause or a non-restrictive clause. here are some guidelines on how to use which and that: • A restrictive clause is a part of a sentence that provides essential information about the noun it modifies. It cannot be removed without changing the meaning of the sentence. A restrictive clause is usually introduced by that and does not have commas around it. For example: The book that I borrowed from you was very interesting. (that I borrowed from you is a restrictive clause that identifies which book I am talking about) A non-restrictive clause is a part of a sentence that provides additional information about the noun it modifies. It can be removed without changing the meaning of the sentence. A non-restrictive clause is usually introduced by which and has commas around it. For example: The book, which I borrowed from you, was very interesting.
Use which in non-defining relative clauses!
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Which is used for nonliving things while that can be used for both.
When using a relative clause to modify a noun which is already known, you use "which". So we use "which" with proper nouns and famous things. For example: Lord of the Rings, which is a very famous movie, is based on a famous novel. On the other hand, when you identify something that is not very well known, you, you can use both; "that" and "which". For example: The building which was damaged by the earthquake has been evacuated. Or The building that was damaged by the earthquake has been evacuated.
Which one should I take, this or that?
Use 'that' when specifying which one of several similar things you are talking about. Use 'which' when providing extra information about a noun. Use a comma before which, but do not use a comma before that.
When we have a choice to make between a few things, we use which. For example, "I have 4 videogames. Which of them do you want to play?" "That" is a response to the above question. It is a specific choice. For example, "I want to play that game over there." I hope this helps. Regards, Micah
“Which” is used for non-restrictive phrases/ Non-defining clause and “that” is used for restrictive phrases/defining clauses.
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- How many more English words (Homographs) and definitions can you think of ?
English words that are spelled the same, pronounced the same, but have different meanings: # Homographs 1. Bank (financial institution) and bank (slope or incline) 2. Bat (flying mammal) and bat (sports equipment) 3. Bolt (fastener) and bolt ( sudden movement) 4. Cloud (weather phenomenon) and cloud (collection of data or applications online) 5. Dish (plate or serving container) and dish (prepare and serve food) 6. Draft (preliminary version of a document) and draft (current of air) 7. Light (not heavy) and light (source of illumination) 8. Match (small stick used to produce fire) and match (competition or sporting event) 9. Mean (intend to convey) and mean (unkind or unpleasant) 10. Park (outdoor recreational area) and park (to leave a vehicle in a stationary position) 11. Pen (writing instrument) and pen (enclosure for animals) 12. Pole (long, thin piece of wood or metal) and pole (northern or southern end of the Earth) 13. Right (correct or proper) and right (direction or location)
