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Mr. Tom Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

What or Which?

Hi

Could you please tell me if my understanding of the use of which and what is correct?

We use which in a question when the choice is given and what when there is no choice. For example:

Which ice-cream do you want? (when the flavors are right there -- perhaps at an ice-cream parlor)

What ice-cream do you want? (a general question asked anywhere, any time)

Which color do you like most?

What color do you like most?

Thanks,

Tom
  

Top answer

Mr. Tom We use which in a question when the choice is given and what when there is no choice. That's the general principle.

— CalifJim

  • Mr.
  • Tom We use which in a question when the choice is given and what when there is no choice.
  • That's the general principle.
  • "which" selects.
  • "what" identifies.
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3 Answers
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Mr. TomWe use which in a question when the choice is given and what when there is no choice.
That's the general principle. "which" selects. "what" identifies.

People do take liberties, however, so you won't always see the usage conform exactly to this principle.

CJ
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Thanks, CJ.

So, according to the rule, all of these are correct?

What country would you like to visit first after your promotion?
What two countries were the first to enter the negotiations?
What language did they speak?
What chocolate do you like most?

Tom
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Mr. TomSo, according to the rule, all of these are correct?
I think you're going to need "What kind of chocolate ...?"

Otherwise, all are OK. Note, however, that "Which" can substitute for "What" in all of them because they can all be conceptualized as a selection process just as easily as an identification process. The number of countries and langu
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