Relative pronouns

Question

How can I know, when to use that or when to use which? Is there any rules?

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

laurifontell
How can I know when to use that and when to use which? Is Are there any rules?

Antecedent >.......................... Person ............................... Thing
........................................ Subject ........... Object
Restrictive ................ who, that ....... whom, that ....... that, which
Non-restrictive ........ who .................. whom .................. which

Restrictive clauses are also called essential or defining clauses.
Non-restrictive clauses are also called non-essential or non-defining clauses.

Restrictive relative clauses are not set off by comma(s). Non-restrictive relative clauses are set off by comma(s).

See also

CJ

AlpheccaStars · Answer

laurifontell
How can I know, when to use that or when to use which? Are there any rules?

Yes. Here are the basic rules.

In American English, non-restrictive (non-defining) relative clauses must always be introduced by which and never by that.
Non-restrictive (non-defining) relative clauses are separated from the rest of the sentence by a comma or commas.
In British English, restrictive (defining) relative clauses can be introduced by that or which when they are referring to things rather than people.

Taken from this resource: https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/grammar/relative-clauses

Relative pronouns

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions