Which or That?
Posted: 16 Mar 2019, 11:52
When is the use of “which” correct, and when is the use of “that” correct? I’ve an inkling they are not interchangeable.
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Which or That?
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Re: Which or That?
Posted: 17 Mar 2019, 01:00
I've always used 'which' and 'that' interchangeably. Do they have any difference?
Re: Which or That?
Posted: 17 Mar 2019, 14:41
This question has to do with restrictive and non-restrictive clauses. The following link is good as it addresses British and American styles. Basically, if the clause contains essential information (restrictive), that would be used. If non-essential (non-restrictive), then which is used. With which, a comma is usually needed.
The backpack that was found on the bus was red.
The clause that contains that is essential. If you remove the clause, the meaning of the sentence is not conveyed correctly.
The backpack was red.
The sentence is still grammatically correct, but it is not enough information. It is essential (restrictive) information that the backpack was found on the bus. Both elements are important and tell us that it was a red backpack that was found on the bus.
The backpack, which is red, was found on the bus.
This tells us a back pack was found on the bus, and the fact that it is red is additional information. The point is it was left on the bus. You can remove the which clause and the sentence still conveys the information correctly (non-restrictive).
The backpack was found on the bus.
This link has more detail:
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/usage/that-or-which
The backpack that was found on the bus was red.
The clause that contains that is essential. If you remove the clause, the meaning of the sentence is not conveyed correctly.
The backpack was red.
The sentence is still grammatically correct, but it is not enough information. It is essential (restrictive) information that the backpack was found on the bus. Both elements are important and tell us that it was a red backpack that was found on the bus.
The backpack, which is red, was found on the bus.
This tells us a back pack was found on the bus, and the fact that it is red is additional information. The point is it was left on the bus. You can remove the which clause and the sentence still conveys the information correctly (non-restrictive).
The backpack was found on the bus.
This link has more detail:
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/usage/that-or-which
Re: Which or That?
Posted: 17 Mar 2019, 18:08
Thank you for sharing this detailed explanations. It's great.Eva Darrington wrote: ↑17 Mar 2019, 14:41 This question has to do with restrictive and non-restrictive clauses. The following link is good as it addresses British and American styles. Basically, if the clause contains essential information (restrictive), that would be used. If non-essential (non-restrictive), then which is used. With which, a comma is usually needed.
The backpack that was found on the bus was red.
The clause that contains that is essential. If you remove the clause, the meaning of the sentence is not conveyed correctly.
The backpack was red.
The sentence is still grammatically correct, but it is not enough information. It is essential (restrictive) information that the backpack was found on the bus. Both elements are important and tell us that it was a red backpack that was found on the bus.
The backpack, which is red, was found on the bus.
This tells us a back pack was found on the bus, and the fact that it is red is additional information. The point is it was left on the bus. You can remove the which clause and the sentence still conveys the information correctly (non-restrictive).
The backpack was found on the bus.
This link has more detail:
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/usage/that-or-which
Re: Which or That?
Posted: 21 Mar 2019, 02:10
This is very helpful. Thank you very much. I think one can get a doctorate in English grammar by becoming a good reviewer for OBC! 
Re: Which or That?
Posted: 25 Mar 2019, 21:55
'That' should always precede a restrictive or defining clause. 'Which' should always precede a non-restrictive or nondefining clause and be preceded by a comma.
Re: Which or That?
Posted: 11 May 2019, 15:59
Thanks for the clarification, but the inclusion of a comma after "which" is still controversial among most editors.
Re: Which or That?
Posted: 26 May 2019, 14:22
EvaDar wrote: ↑17 Mar 2019, 14:41 This question has to do with restrictive and non-restrictive clauses. The following link is good as it addresses British and American styles. Basically, if the clause contains essential information (restrictive), that would be used. If non-essential (non-restrictive), then which is used. With which, a comma is usually needed.
The backpack that was found on the bus was red.
The clause that contains that is essential. If you remove the clause, the meaning of the sentence is not conveyed correctly.
The backpack was red.
The sentence is still grammatically correct, but it is not enough information. It is essential (restrictive) information that the backpack was found on the bus. Both elements are important and tell us that it was a red backpack that was found on the bus.
The backpack, which is red, was found on the bus.
This tells us a back pack was found on the bus, and the fact that it is red is additional information. The point is it was left on the bus. You can remove the which clause and the sentence still conveys the information correctly (non-restrictive).
The backpack was found on the bus.
This link has more detail:
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/usage/that-or-which
The link you provided is even more helpful. It has a lot of helpful information, thank you.
Re: Which or That?
Posted: 26 May 2019, 22:30
