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Anonymous Posted 19 years ago
Grammar

"that" vs "which"

I have always had trouble differentiating between usage of these 2 terms:-

"The focus is on the numbers that are wrong" vs "The focus is on the numbers which are wrong"

My general impression is that when we use "that" as opposed to "which" it refers to something which is more defined or which is existing while when we say "which" it is more open and presupposes a possibility that they could be no numbers which are wrong.

Would be grateful if anyone could shed some more light on this? THANKS!
  

Top answer

pdf+%22restrictive+clauses%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=5&lr=lang_en ]restrictive or defining clauses[/url], though that is preferred by many. Which is used for [url=]non-restrictive or non-defining clauses[/url].

— Mister Micawber

  • pdf+%22restrictive+clauses%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=5&lr=lang_en ]restrictive or defining clauses[/url], though that is preferred by many.
  • Which is used for [url=]non-restrictive or non-defining clauses[/url].
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5 Answers
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Either that or which can be used for [url=http://72.14.235.104/search?q=cache:rK4BHGsI0eMJ:www.asu.edu/clas/english/englished/docs/Restrictive_Clauses_pp_27-28.pdf+%22restrictive+clauses%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=5&lr=lang_en]restrictive or defining clauses[/url], though
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There is no difference in meaning. Both pronouns are correct in restrictive relative clauses.

CB
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My general impression is that when we use "that" as opposed to "which" it refers to something which is more defined or which is existing while when we say "which" it is more open and presupposes a possibility that they could be no numbers which are wrong.
No! You are inventing differences where none exist. You may be confusing restrictive "which" with non-res
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Saying, "The focus is on the numbers that are wrong" suggests that, of all the numbers (some right, some wrong), the focus is on the wrong numbers.

Saying, "The focus is on the numbers which are wrong" suggests that all the numbers are wrong.

...the numbers which (by the way) are wrong.
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AnonymousSaying, "The focus is on the numbers that are wrong" suggests that, of all the numbers (some right, some wrong), the focus is on the wrong numbers.

Saying, "The focus is on the numbers which are wrong" suggests that all the numbers are wrong.

...the numbers which (by the way) are wrong.
Wrong. There is no differenc
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