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Anonymous Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
English grammar
Can you tell me the correct usage for which and that in a clause. I am having problems using these two pronouns. When shoudl I use that and when should I use which?
Thanks
Charlene
Thanks
Charlene
Top answer
The short answer: Usually 'that', but also 'which', is used to begin modifying clauses that are restrictive or defining - they are necessary to identify the referent, and they are not preceded by a comma: The girl that I marry will have to be as soft and as pink as a nursery . 'That I marry' identifies 'girl'; otherwise, we would not know which girl was being talked about. Only 'which' can be used to begin modifying clauses that are not restrictive or non-defining - they just add extra information about the referent; they are not necessary to identify it.
- The short answer: Usually 'that', but also 'which', is used to begin modifying clauses that are restrictive or defining - they are necessary to identify the referent, and they are not preceded by a comma: The girl that I marry will have to be as soft and as pink as a nursery .
- 'That I marry' identifies 'girl'; otherwise, we would not know which girl was being talked about.
- Only 'which' can be used to begin modifying clauses that are not restrictive or non-defining - they just add extra information about the referent; they are not necessary to identify it.
- And they are always preceded by a comma: My car, which I bought in June, is pink and its uphostery is soft .
- 'Car' is completely identified by the word 'My', so 'which I bought in June is just extra information about my car.
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1 Answers
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The short answer:
Usually 'that', but also 'which', is used to begin modifying clauses that are restrictive or defining - they are necessary to identify the referent, and they are not preceded by a comma: The girl that I marry will have to be as soft and as pink as a nursery. 'That I marry' identifies 'girl'; otherwise, we would not know which girl was being talked
Usually 'that', but also 'which', is used to begin modifying clauses that are restrictive or defining - they are necessary to identify the referent, and they are not preceded by a comma: The girl that I marry will have to be as soft and as pink as a nursery. 'That I marry' identifies 'girl'; otherwise, we would not know which girl was being talked
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