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Inchoateknowledge Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
that/which relative pronoun contrast
"I am afraid that under the circuimstances there is little that we can do."
I know it is that and not which.
However, I can not explain why.
Would you, please, elaborate.
Thanks.
I know it is that and not which.
However, I can not explain why.
Would you, please, elaborate.
Thanks.
Top answer
Hi Inchoateknowledge There is no other reason than the fact that people use that as the relative pronoun after some words: There is little that we can do. This is all that we can do. There isn't much that we can do.
- Hi Inchoateknowledge There is no other reason than the fact that people use that as the relative pronoun after some words: There is little that we can do.
- This is all that we can do.
- There isn't much that we can do.
- Usually also: He told me every thing that he knew.
- In the same way: something that, nothing that, anything that.
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4 Answers
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Hi Inchoateknowledge
There is no other reason than the fact that people use that as the relative pronoun after some words:
There is little that we can do.
This is all that we can do.
There isn't much that we can do.
Usually also:
He told me everything that he knew.
In the same way: something that, nothing that, any
There is no other reason than the fact that people use that as the relative pronoun after some words:
There is little that we can do.
This is all that we can do.
There isn't much that we can do.
Usually also:
He told me everything that he knew.
In the same way: something that, nothing that, any
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Hi,
I have found one piece of info about 'that' being used as a relative pronoun instead of 'which':
When the pronoun is inpersonal: anything,something, nothing, etc.
By the way, thanks for your useful info
I have found one piece of info about 'that' being used as a relative pronoun instead of 'which':
When the pronoun is inpersonal: anything,something, nothing, etc.
By the way, thanks for your useful info
00
We say "that" because it's a defining relative clause. If you say "There is little", poeple will ask: "Little what?", so you clarify with "little (that) we can do".
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Yes, as J Lewis has mentioned, it's a defining relative clause. Also, SEE this link in its entirety:
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NOTE: It is preferable to use that (not which) after the following
words: all, any(thing), every (thing), few, little, many, much,
no(thing), none, some(thing), and after superlatives. When using the
pronoun to refer to the object,
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NOTE: It is preferable to use that (not which) after the following
words: all, any(thing), every (thing), few, little, many, much,
no(thing), none, some(thing), and after superlatives. When using the
pronoun to refer to the object,
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