Word Pairs: That and Which
There’s a lot of confusion about that and which. They’re often used interchangeably, but they’re not interchangeable.
Historically, these two words may have carried the same meaning, and some English dialects may allow for that and which to be swapped without affecting the meaning of a sentence.
But in American English, there’s a very distinct difference between the two, and by the time you’re done reading this post, you’ll have it down and will fully understand the difference between that and which.
That and Which
As with most grammar rules, there are exceptions and exemptions from the standard ways that and which should be used. To gain understanding of confusing word pairs, it’s always best to start with the basics. Even advanced writers are better off keeping things simple because writing will be clearer and more accessible. As we look at how to properly use that and which, we’ll focus on basic, standard usage.
That and which can be categorized into several different parts of speech. Both words can function as adjectives and pronouns. Additionally, that can serve as a conjunction and as an adverb. Today, we’re looking at how that and which should be used when they are working as relative pronouns.
Relative Pronouns
From Wikipedia: “A relative pronoun is a pronoun that marks a relative clause within a larger sentence. It is called a relative pronoun because it relates to the word that it modifies.”
Like adjectives and adverbs, relative pronouns modify other words. Adjectives modify nouns:
- I have a car.
- I have a red car.
Adverbs modify verbs:
- I am walking.
- I am walking quickly.
The main difference between adjectives and adverbs is that adjectives usually describe things while adverbs describe actions. Relative pronouns also modify words, but they often do so as clauses rather than as single, descriptive words. In the examples below, the clauses are italicized.
- Bring me the bucket.
- Bring me the bucket that has apples in it.
- The bucket, which has apples in it, is blue.
The difference between the words that and which, and how they are used as relative pronouns, depends on whether the clause they belong to is restrictive or nonrestrictive.
Restrictive and Nonrestrictive Clauses
Restrictive Clauses Are Necessary
A restrictive clause is necessary to the meaning of a sentence. For example:
- The bucket that has apples in it is the one I want.
If you removed the clause “that has apples in it,” the meaning of the sentence would be lost. The clause is necessary to the meaning of the sentence and is therefore a restrictive clause. Because it’s a restrictive clause, it should take the relative pronoun that.
Nonrestrictive Clauses are Unnecessary
A nonrestrictive clause is not necessary to the meaning of a sentence. In fact, it can be removed from a sentence without affective its meaning. For example:
- The bucket, which is blue, has apples in it.
- There are apples in the bucket, which is blue.
If you removed the clause “which is blue,” from either of the sentences above, the meaning of the sentences would not be lost. We’d still know that the bucket has apples in it. Note that in the second example, the nonrestrictive clause adds information about something that has already been identified. Because the clause is unnecessary to the meaning of the sentence, we know it’s a nonrestrictive clause, and therefore should take the relative pronoun which.
- Use that before a restrictive clause.
- Use which before a nonrestrictive clause.
The Easy Way to Remember the Difference Between That and Which
I Needed That
If you need the clause to maintain a sentence’s meaning, then use that. A quick trick for remembering is the phrase “I needed that.”
Which?
Because which is also an interrogative pronoun used to mark questions, it is questionable. You can take it or leave it. It’s not necessary.
Exceptions and Notes
Here are some exceptions and notes to these rules.
- Which can be used restrictively when it’s preceded by a preposition. For example, “The bucket in which the apples have been stored is blue.”
- Which is almost always preceded by a comma, parenthesis, or a dash.
- In British English, there is little distinction between that and which.
Has this article helped you? Do you have any other questions about that and which? Do you have any tips to share for remembering how to use these two words? Leave a comment.
Sources:
- The Chicago Manual of Style
- Grammar Girl, “Which Versus That“
- Wikipedia, “Relative Pronouns“
What a great grammar teacher you’d be, Twinnie. My Chinese students will surely eat this up.
Kate Yoweins last blog post..The Miracle Baby- A Story of Against Racism and Hope
Aw, thanks Twinnie
It would definitely be fun to teach grammar. I like learning and sharing all the terms and rules but there are so few opportunities in life to discuss these matters…
Hi Melissa – Thanks for this. I think you must be a mind reader, as I struggle with choosing between “that and which” and I’ve been thinking about it recently.
I will try to remember this but it’s tough. I write in British English but many of my readers are American.
The British vs. American English is a tricky problem online. It looks to me like most people lean toward American grammar and I have to admit, I’m a little biased toward it myself… I have noticed “that and which” used interchangeably in print publications (particularly in a novel I’m reading right now, which inspired this post) and I always wonder if the writer or editor might be British. In any case, it’s good for Americans and British people to learn each other’s rules so we don’t assume errors where there are none.
The article helped me a lot – it proves me i made the right move when asked for help regarding grammar and style on my blog.
– he helps me TONS.
Oh my…. i am happy so much i have a friend who’s native American speaker
When I was studying French, I was always confused by words with similar meanings and words that sounded the same. Darn those confusing word pairs! I never had a native French speaker friend and by now, I’ve probably lost most of the language, especially since I never had a really good chance to use it (like a trip to Paris). You’re lucky to have that friend, and doing quite well writing in English.
Thanks a lot for the post. I’d never really known the rules here and so, have been abusing this grammar rule for a while. I had never realized how simple the difference was and will be telling people “I needed that” for a while now
.
Martin – Writing Promptss last blog post..Writing the Six Word Memoir
Yeah, I like that trick for remembering: “I needed that.” Just remember that this isn’t universal and “that and which” are used interchangeably in Britain. It’s also fun learning these grammar terms, like “relative pronoun” and “restrictive clause.” Mind boggling at times, but good stuff.
Hi Melissa: It´s amazing how much I rely on how things sound to figure out which words I need to use. I don’t have trouble choosing between “that” and “which” but I wouldn’t have been able to give an explanation as to why one or the other would be the right choice in a particular sentence (until reading this post that is
).
I find that many of my good grammar habits come from reading a lot. I also find that I’ve picked up a few not-so-good habits by relying on reading to teach me the rules. That’s one of the reasons I like writing articles like this; I can really cement my understanding of how to properly use the language, and it helps me feel more confident. Interestingly, that confidence comes in most handily when I’m breaking the rules rather than following them
I always love posts like this–both reading them, and writing them! And this is a good one, so thanks, Melissa!
–Debs last blog post..Numbers and Words
Thanks Deb! I strayed away from grammar posts for awhile but lately I’ve had grammar on the brain for some reason.
I definitely need to revisit my grammar lessons. Now that I am writing online, it will be so embarrassing to publish articles that are full of errors. Thanks for pointing out how to use “that” and “which”!!
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I do find that sometimes a particular phrase or sentence works better when you throw out the rules completely – but you have to know the rules before you do that. Some people don’t like learning grammar but I think it’s actually fun. I’m a word nerd.
When I was learning English in middle school, which was in Taiwan, (see how I just used that word?) we were taught to:
Use “which” with commas for nonrestrictive:
I delivered the package, which was quite heavy, to Mary.
Use “which” or “that” without commas for restrictive:
I only want the pancake that has ice cream on it.
I only want the pancake which has ice cream on it.
After 10 years in the United States, I’ve already gotten used to the usages that you mentioned in the post, and what I described above now sound a little weird to me. Then again, Taiwan is not an English-speaking country, so I’m not sure where these rules came from.
Kelvin Kaos last blog post..LCC Presents… The Great Pretenders
Look at you! Nice use of “which.” I used to think these words were interchangeable too, and I made my choice based on how each sentence sounded. But now use of “which” in a restrictive clause just sounds wrong to me. I will say that after writing this post I started coming up with a bunch of example sentences that could go either way – restrictive or nonrestrictive – and they had my head spinning.
Kelvin, it may be because in British English there is no distinction between “that” and “which,” and many other countries teach British rather than American English.
It’s interesting. I think what we were taught was a mix.
For example, for the word that I’ve just used, “taught”, I was taught to pronounce the dark ‘o’ sound instead of saying it like “tot”. For spelling, though, we were taught the American system (color instead of colour). And we also used IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet).
Kelvin Kaos last blog post..LCC Presents… The Great Pretenders
That’s funny Kelvin, because the reason I know British English is often taught throughout the world is that I once had a boss (he was Persian), and his (American) English (including pronunciation) was spot-on except for one word. Of course, that word escapes me now, but he said it with a British accent. Before he uttered that word, I had no idea he’d only been in the U.S. for less than a decade! That launched a conversation about English being taught, and American vs. British English, and I started looking into it and found out that a lot of other countries go by British English. I guess some use a mix of the two
This is a very nice writeup on a particular bit of grammar that is not easy to teach. Nice work Melissa.
I tend to agree with your earlier comment/reply to Cath, I too tend to be biased towards the American English distinction (despite being British!)
Marc – WelshScribes last blog post..Open Discussion: Should We Under Promise and Over Deliver?
Thanks Marc. I’m not sure why American English has dominated the web. I would have guessed British English to take precedence because it’s older and taught more widely.
That’s easy: because the internet started in the United States. The big (and first) initial content providers and search engines are U.S.-based. They have bigger control over domain names as well. Also, the ratio of English and Spanish pages is not representative of the size of English and Spanish population.
Kelvin Kaos last blog post..LCC Presents… The Great Pretenders
Melissa I have been enjoying your posts in my email but failing to make it over to chat but this is a post that I could not resist offering a public kudos.:-) I love the “I needed that.” We all need to keep our grammar skills fresh and you do an incredible job of presenting the information for writers and non-writers.
Karen Swims last blog post..Say What? The New Age of Comunication
Karen, I’ve been enjoying your posts in my RSS reader. I guess this is a busy time of year for everyone, because I just haven’t been making my comment rounds. Thanks so much for your kind words. Like I always say, “Grammar is fun!” (and useful).
As always, lots of great tips here. One of my favorite things to do is use adverbs to describe nouns and adjectives to describe verbs—or treat verbs as nouns. I know it’s incorrect, but if used in certain ways, it can be effective in creating unique phrases. These days, I try to avoid thinking theoretically. To me, creating unique phrasing is one of the most difficult aspect in writing. I think like this: there are millions of guitar players who can play the blues and most sound the same. When you hear someone like Jimi Hendrix, you know it’s him even if you only hear one small fragment—it’s so unique in voice it cannot be denied. That’s the type of writer I want to be. You read one sentence and know who it is. Without knowing the rules of grammar and all the theory, it will be next to impossible to achieve a unique voice.
Bobby Revells last blog post..Afterbirth – Tale of Terror
I like the idea of switching up adverbs and adjectives. Very clever. You’re right, establishing voice is a definite challenge for writers and all artists. Did you know that to get into some MFA literary programs, they actually test you on that – identifying authors through short excerpts of their work, and you have to be able to recognize their voice (unless you’ve memorized the entire canon)?
Great post about the distinctions.
Ever since I started teaching English I’ve become much more aware of how I use language – this is a great example of something I’ve never thought about. Thank you!
Alex F. Fayles last blog post..Get rid of your somedays: personalized help now available
Alex, I had no idea you taught English. If I wasn’t so averse to public speaking, I’d probably be doing the same. Or maybe I’d teach creative writing… Anyway, keep sharing grammar with your students, and thank you for being a teacher.
I think all writers have that one ‘thing’ that they always have to check or remind themselves about. This is mine. Thank you. Bookmarked for future and no doubt regular reference.
Iain Broomes last blog post..Free e-book – ‘The academic eccentricity: creative writing in the classroom’
I agree, we each have those little grammar infractions that slip by. And it seems like as soon as you fix one, another one appears…