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Mitsuo23 Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

What floor? why not which?

Why do you say "what floor" instead of "which floor" when you ask it in a elevator?
Any logical reason?

Thanks,
M
  

Top answer

"What" is preferred when you don't know how many of something there are or the number is irrelevant. When you're presented with a choice of a limited number of options use "which". for example What city do you live in?

— Ivanhr

  • "What" is preferred when you don't know how many of something there are or the number is irrelevant.
  • When you're presented with a choice of a limited number of options use "which".
  • for example What city do you live in?
  • (it could be any city) but if you had to choose between London and Paris then Which city would you choose?
  • So, "which" has to have some further context to justify its use.
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8 Answers
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"What" is preferred when you don't know how many of something there are or the number is irrelevant. When you're presented with a choice of a limited number of options use "which".

for example

What city do you live in? (it could be any city)

but if you had to choose between London and Paris then

Which city would you choose?


So, "which" has to h
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Just a question, suppose I am already inside the elevator, and I can see how many floors there are based on each floor's button, do you think it is more logical to ask "which floor?" because I now have an idea of the choices?

If so, I wonder why "what floor?" is still more common? Is it something people have got used to say?
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Yes, you'd still say "what floor" because the person you ask that question may not be aware of that. And even if he/she knew exactly how many floors there are, "what" would still be the most natural option.
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That makes sense to me now. Thank you for your clarification.
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mitsuwao23Why do you say "what floor" instead of "which floor" when you ask it in a elevator?
Any logical reason?
The only logic in it is that "what" identifies and "which" selects.

You are not giving your listener a choice of various floors that you have specified for him to select from; you are simply asking him to identify the floor he wants.
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Thank you for the perfect explanation, CJ.
You always understand what I'm asking and give me additional tips, too.

M
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what an intelligent response...
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mitsuo23 Why do you say "what floor" instead of "which floor" when you ask it in a elevator?
Any logical reason?
Thanks,
M
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