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Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

That or which

Please tell me, which is the correct sentence?

Pupils were asked to talk about a topic that interests them.
Pupils were asked to talk about a topic, which interests them.
  

Top answer

Hi Anon The more likely sentence is the first one: Anonymous Pupils were asked to talk about a topic that interests them. The words "that interests them" refers to the word "topic". In other words, if a student thinks a particular topic is interesting, that is what the student should talk about.

  • Hi Anon The more likely sentence is the first one: Anonymous Pupils were asked to talk about a topic that interests them.
  • The words "that interests them" refers to the word "topic".
  • In other words, if a student thinks a particular topic is interesting, that is what the student should talk about.
  • Anonymous Pupils were asked to talk about a topic, which interests them.
  • Basically, this sentence means that the students think talking is interesting.
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4 Answers
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Hi Anon

The more likely sentence is the first one:
AnonymousPupils were asked to talk about a topic that interests them.
The words "that interests them" refers to the word "topic". In other words, if a student thinks a particular topic is interesting, that is what the student should talk about.
AnonymousPupils were asked to ta
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Two sentences are ok.
We can use that/which takin bout thing
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Hi Anon

Sentence 1 contains a defining relative clause. In other words, the words "that interests them" define the word "topic".

The comma in sentence 2 changes things. With a comma before "which interests them", that clause becomes a non-defining relative clause, and the meaning of the sentence changes.
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Thanks,
I understand much better now; will stick with 'that'.

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