That or which?

Question

I am proofreading a thesis for an Italian student at the moment. I am unsure about this sentence: "The chapter finally looks at the chronic lack of low- middle-income housing in Nairobi as a major drawback of urban programmes since it facilitates gentrification that has been acknowledged to be a critical factor undermining the success of most interventions in the city."
Instinct tells me it should be 'gentrification which' rather than that. However I will need to give an explanation as to why.
Any help would be much appreciated.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

The American Heritage Dictionary at Yahoo Education has a usage note under "that" that you may find helpful: http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry?id=T0143500

It is a matter of restrictive vs. nonrestrictive clauses, to use one terminology. The way the student has it, only gentrification so acknowledged is a factor. What he meant was that gentrification in general is the acknowledged factor. He should have put "which" instead of "that" and used a comma: "The chapter finally looks at the chronic lack of low- middle-income housing in Nairobi as a major drawback of urban programmes since it facilitates gentrification, which has been acknowledged to be a critical factor undermining the success of most interventions in the city."

Eim101 · Answer

Thank you very much.

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