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What is the difference in usage between that and which?

Updated: 8/16/2019
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15y ago

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An example may help us get started: The clothes, which are in the closet, are ruined. The clothes that are in the closet are ruined. Notice that in the first sentence all of the clothes are in the closet and ruined. In the second example all of the clothes that are in the closet are ruined but some clothes not in the closet may be fine. In both examples that and which introduce what is called a relative or adjective clause. That clauses are called restrictive adjectival clauses because they restrict the meanings of the nouns they modify. That is to say that the ruining of clothes was restricted to those contained in the closet. Which clauses are called nonrestrictive adjectival clauses because they do not restrict. That is to say that the ruining of clothes is not restricted to any particular group of clothes but rather to all of the clothes. As a final note please be aware of the use of commas in the examples. Which clauses require them and that clauses do not. Too many people have become enamored with which, believing that is just sounds better; do not fall into that trap. An example may help us get started: The clothes, which are in the closet, are ruined. The clothes that are in the closet are ruined. Notice that in the first sentence all of the clothes are in the closet and ruined. In the second example all of the clothes that are in the closet are ruined but some clothes not in the closet may be fine. In both examples that and which introduce what is called a relative or adjective clause. That clauses are called restrictive adjectival clauses because they restrict the meanings of the nouns they modify. That is to say that the ruining of clothes was restricted to those contained in the closet. Which clauses are called nonrestrictive adjectival clauses because they do not restrict. That is to say that the ruining of clothes is not restricted to any particular group of clothes but rather to all of the clothes. As a final note please be aware of the use of commas in the examples. Which clauses require them and that clauses do not. Too many people have become enamored with which, believing that is just sounds better; do not fall into that trap.

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Q: What is the difference in usage between that and which?
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