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Anonymous Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
I have a doubt about the use of 'which'. I am a native speaker and usually quite on top of grammar matters. Today somebody suggested to me that which must always be preceeded by a comma, as it always introduces non essential information, as in relative clauses. Could anyone give me an opinion on this sentence:
The paper identified the obstacles which hinder successful urban planning.
Should I use that instead in this sentence?
The paper identified the obstacles which hinder successful urban planning.
Should I use that instead in this sentence?
Top answer
'That' is never preceded by a comma, since it always marks restrictive clauses. 'Which', however, marks both restrictive and non-restrictive clauses, so it may or may not be preceded by a comma. Your sentence needs no comma, and you may use 'that' if you wish, but it is not necessary.
- 'That' is never preceded by a comma, since it always marks restrictive clauses.
- 'Which', however, marks both restrictive and non-restrictive clauses, so it may or may not be preceded by a comma.
- Your sentence needs no comma, and you may use 'that' if you wish, but it is not necessary.
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2 Answers
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'That' is never preceded by a comma, since it always marks restrictive clauses. 'Which', however, marks both restrictive and non-restrictive clauses, so it may or may not be preceded by a comma. Your sentence needs no comma, and you may use 'that' if you wish, but it is not necessary.
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The paper identified the obstacles that hinder successful urban planning.
Use 'that' here.
'that hinder successful urban planning' more specifically identifies which obstacles are being referred to.
compare:
Use 'that' here.
'that hinder successful urban planning' more specifically identifies which obstacles are being referred to.
compare:
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