Guest Posted 22 years ago
Grammar
That or which
please help me understand when to use one or the other in a sentance. Please just define them for me. Thank you.
Top answer
' -- the clause 'that I am wearing' identifies the hat. ' -- the clause ',which I lost last week,' adds extra information, but the hat has already been identified as 'father's hat'. That is the essence of the difference between 'that' and 'which' as relative pronouns.
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'That' is used when the clause is restrictive-- when its information is necessary to identify the noun it modifies:
'The hat that I am wearing cost $25.' -- the clause 'that I am wearing' identifies the hat.
'Which' can be used like 'that', but is more formally reserved for nonrestrictive clauses; the modified noun is otherwise identified, and the clause supplies additional inf
'The hat that I am wearing cost $25.' -- the clause 'that I am wearing' identifies the hat.
'Which' can be used like 'that', but is more formally reserved for nonrestrictive clauses; the modified noun is otherwise identified, and the clause supplies additional inf
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