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Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Is 'which' more formal than 'that'
I am wondering whether we must use 'which' instead of 'that' in trying to be formal. But what about restrictive clauses? I assumed we must use 'that' in such cases...
For instance: She had a beauty that could melt anyone's heart (or something like that).
In sentences like the above, is it wrong to say 'which could melt...' I gather this is a restrictive clause and that the subject 'beauty' is restricted by the fact that it could melt hearts. So is 'which' not advisable here?
For instance: She had a beauty that could melt anyone's heart (or something like that).
In sentences like the above, is it wrong to say 'which could melt...' I gather this is a restrictive clause and that the subject 'beauty' is restricted by the fact that it could melt hearts. So is 'which' not advisable here?
Top answer
That is probably more common, especially in AmE. I have never heard of a grammarian who considers which wrong in your sentence except those working for Microsoft Word. CB
- That is probably more common, especially in AmE.
- I have never heard of a grammarian who considers which wrong in your sentence except those working for Microsoft Word.
- CB
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5 Answers
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That is probably more common, especially in AmE. I have never heard of a grammarian who considers which wrong in your sentence except those working for Microsoft Word.
CB
CB
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True. which tends to sound more formal than that.
Restrictive: that or which [no comma]
Non-restrictive: which (only) [comma]
... a beauty [that / which] could ... (Both OK.)
CJ
Restrictive: that or which [no comma]
Non-restrictive: which (only) [comma]
... a beauty [that / which] could ... (Both OK.)
CJ
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Thanks for the response. I assumed that restrictive only admitted 'that'? Can you tell me more on this? I thought non-restrictive= which with comma, restrictive=that. If that's not true, does that mean 'a beauty which could...' and such sentences are acceptable even in restrictive clauses?
00
Hi there. That and Which are both relative pronouns. They are use to modify the antecedent or the word that a pronoun refers to. Use That if your antecedent is a person or a thing. Use Which if your antecedent is an animal or inanimate things.
Note:
"The relative pronoun that is used only in restrictive or defining relative clauses. Who and which, on the other hand, can be used
Note:
"The relative pronoun that is used only in restrictive or defining relative clauses. Who and which, on the other hand, can be used
00
Anonymousdoes that mean 'a beauty which could...' and such sentences are acceptable even in restrictive clauses?Yes. If I'm not mistaken, that's exactly what my post said.
CJ
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