Which vs That: When To Use Each One In Writing?

Do you ever find yourself confused about when to use “which” versus “that” in your writing? It can be a common mistake, but it’s important to understand the difference between the two words to ensure your writing is clear and concise.

First things first, “which” and “that” are both relative pronouns used to introduce a clause in a sentence. However, there are some key differences between the two.

“Which” is used to introduce a non-restrictive clause, meaning that the information in the clause is not essential to the meaning of the sentence. Non-restrictive clauses are set off by commas. For example: “My car, which is blue, is parked outside.”

On the other hand, “that” is used to introduce a restrictive clause, meaning that the information in the clause is essential to the meaning of the sentence. Restrictive clauses are not set off by commas. For example: “The car that is parked outside is blue.”

It’s important to note that “that” can also be used in non-restrictive clauses, but it’s less common and usually only used for emphasis. For example: “I want that cake, which, by the way, looks delicious.”

Now that you understand the basic difference between “which” and “that,” let’s dive deeper into when and how to use them in different types of sentences.

Define Which

Which is a relative pronoun that is used to introduce a non-restrictive or non-essential clause in a sentence. It is used to provide extra information about the subject of the sentence but is not necessary for the sentence to make sense. The clause introduced by which is usually set apart from the rest of the sentence by commas.

For example:

• The car, which is red, belongs to my brother.
• The book, which was written by a famous author, is a bestseller.

In these examples, the clauses introduced by which provide additional information about the car and the book, but the sentences would still be complete and understandable without them.

Define That

That is also a relative pronoun, but it is used to introduce a restrictive or essential clause in a sentence. It is used to provide necessary information about the subject of the sentence, and the clause introduced by that is not set apart from the rest of the sentence by commas.

For example:

• The car that is parked in the driveway belongs to my brother.
• The book that I read last night was a bestseller.

In these examples, the clauses introduced by that are essential to the meaning of the sentences. Without them, the sentences would be incomplete and unclear.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Using the correct words in a sentence is essential to convey the intended meaning. Two common words that are often used interchangeably are “which” and “that.” However, they have different uses and should be used appropriately.

How To Use “Which” In A Sentence

“Which” is a relative pronoun used to introduce a non-restrictive or parenthetical clause. This means that the information provided by the clause is not necessary for the sentence to be grammatically correct. The clause is set apart by commas and can be removed from the sentence without changing its meaning.

For example:

• The book, which was written by my favorite author, is on the shelf.
• The car, which is parked outside, belongs to my neighbor.

In both of these examples, the clauses introduced by “which” provide additional information about the noun (book and car) but are not necessary for the sentence to make sense.

How To Use “That” In A Sentence

“That” is also a relative pronoun used to introduce a restrictive or essential clause. This means that the information provided by the clause is necessary for the sentence to be grammatically correct. The clause is not set apart by commas and cannot be removed from the sentence without changing its meaning.

For example:

• The book that I am reading is on the shelf.
• The car that belongs to my neighbor is parked outside.

In both of these examples, the clauses introduced by “that” provide essential information about the noun (book and car) and cannot be removed from the sentence without changing its meaning.

It is important to note that in some cases, “which” can be used to introduce a restrictive clause and “that” can be used to introduce a non-restrictive clause. However, this usage is less common and can be confusing for readers. It is best to stick to the standard usage of these words to avoid any confusion.

More Examples Of Which & That Used In Sentences

Understanding the difference between “which” and “that” can be a challenge for many writers. Here are some additional examples of how to use these words correctly in a sentence.

Examples Of Using Which In A Sentence

• The book, which was written by my favorite author, is a bestseller.
• I bought a new car, which has a lot of great features.
• The restaurant, which serves amazing food, is always busy.
• The painting, which is hanging in the museum, is worth millions of dollars.
• The movie, which I saw last night, was really good.
• The shirt, which is on sale, comes in many different colors.
• The computer, which I just bought, is really fast.
• The hotel, which is located downtown, is very expensive.
• The phone, which I dropped, is now broken.
• The cake, which my mom made, was delicious.

Examples Of Using That In A Sentence

• The car that I bought last week is already in the shop.
• The book that I read last night was really interesting.
• The restaurant that we went to last night was terrible.
• The movie that I saw last week was really long.
• The shirt that I bought yesterday was too small.
• The computer that I am using now is really old.
• The hotel that we stayed at last year was really nice.
• The phone that I lost last week was my favorite.
• The cake that my friend made was not very good.
• The painting that is hanging in the museum is my favorite.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using which and that, there are many common mistakes that people make. These mistakes can lead to confusion and misinterpretation, so it’s important to understand the differences between these two words and use them correctly.

Using Which And That Interchangeably

One of the most common mistakes people make is using which and that interchangeably. While these words are similar, they have distinct differences in meaning and usage.

Word	Usage	Example
Which	Used for nonessential clauses	The book, which I read last night, was amazing.
That	Used for essential clauses	The book that I read last night was amazing.

When using which, the clause it introduces is nonessential to the meaning of the sentence. This means that the sentence would still make sense if the clause were removed. On the other hand, when using that, the clause it introduces is essential to the meaning of the sentence. This means that the sentence would not make sense if the clause were removed.

For example, consider the following sentences:

• The car, which was red, drove past me. (nonessential clause)
• The car that hit me was red. (essential clause)

In the first sentence, the fact that the car was red is not essential to the sentence. The sentence would still make sense if the clause were removed. In the second sentence, the fact that the car hit me is essential to the sentence. Without that information, the sentence would not make sense.

Tips For Avoiding Mistakes

To avoid making mistakes when using which and that, keep the following tips in mind:

• Determine whether the clause is essential or nonessential to the sentence.
• Use which for nonessential clauses and that for essential clauses.
• If you’re not sure which word to use, try removing the clause from the sentence. If the sentence still makes sense, use which. If the sentence doesn’t make sense, use that.

Context Matters

Choosing between which and that can be a tricky decision, as the context in which they are used can greatly affect their meaning and usage. In general, “that” is used to introduce essential clauses, while “which” is used to introduce nonessential clauses. However, there are certain contexts where this rule may not apply.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Here are some examples of different contexts and how the choice between which and that might change:

Context	Example Sentence	Correct Usage
Essential Clause	The book that I read was very interesting.	That is the correct usage here, as the clause is essential to the meaning of the sentence.
Nonessential Clause	The book, which I read last week, was very interesting.	Which is the correct usage here, as the clause is nonessential to the meaning of the sentence.
Restrictive Clause	The car that I bought last year is now broken.	That is the correct usage here, as the clause restricts the meaning of the sentence to a specific car.
Nonrestrictive Clause	The car, which I bought last year, is now broken.	Which is the correct usage here, as the clause provides additional information but does not restrict the meaning of the sentence.

It is important to pay attention to the context in which which and that are used, as using the wrong one can change the meaning of the sentence. By understanding the different contexts in which they are used, you can ensure that your writing is clear and concise.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using “which” and “that” are generally straightforward, there are a few exceptions where they might not apply. Here are some of the most common exceptions:

Restrictive Clauses With Nonessential Information

One exception to the rule is when a restrictive clause contains nonessential information. In this case, “which” can be used instead of “that.” For example:

• The book, which was written in the 1800s, is a classic.
• The car, which is parked outside, belongs to my neighbor.

These sentences use “which” instead of “that” because the information in the restrictive clause is nonessential to the meaning of the sentence.

Informal Writing Or Dialogue

In informal writing or dialogue, it is common to use “which” instead of “that” without any specific reason. For example:

• “I bought a new phone, which is really cool.”
• “The movie we saw last night, which was terrible, was a waste of money.”

While this usage is not technically correct, it is widely accepted in informal writing and speech.

Prepositions At The End Of The Sentence

Another exception to the rule is when a preposition appears at the end of the sentence. In this case, “which” can be used instead of “that.” For example:

• The house, which we just moved into, has a beautiful garden.
• The company, which I used to work for, went bankrupt last year.

These sentences use “which” instead of “that” because the preposition at the end of the sentence makes it sound awkward to use “that.”

While these exceptions may seem confusing at first, they are actually quite simple once you understand the reasoning behind them. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your writing is clear, concise, and grammatically correct.

Practice Exercises

Understanding the difference between “which” and “that” can be challenging, but with practice, it can become second nature. Here are some practice exercises to help you improve your understanding and use of these two words in sentences:

Exercise 1: Choose The Correct Word

Choose the correct word (“which” or “that”) to complete each sentence:

Sentence	Correct Word
The book, ___ was written by J.K. Rowling, is my favorite.	which
The car ___ I bought last week is already in the shop.	that
The movie, ___ I saw last night, was really good.	which
The restaurant ___ we went to last night had amazing food.	that
The book ___ I read last week was really long.	that

Answer Key:

Sentence	Correct Word
The book, ___ was written by J.K. Rowling, is my favorite.	which
The car ___ I bought last week is already in the shop.	that
The movie, ___ I saw last night, was really good.	which
The restaurant ___ we went to last night had amazing food.	that
The book ___ I read last week was really long.	that

Exercise 2: Identify The Clause

Identify whether the underlined clause in each sentence is a restrictive clause (use “that”) or a non-restrictive clause (use “which”):

1. The car that I bought last week is already in the shop.
2. The car, which is red, is already in the shop.
3. The book that I read last week was really long.
4. The book, which was written by J.K. Rowling, was really long.
5. The restaurant that we went to last night had amazing food.
6. The restaurant, which is located downtown, had amazing food.

Answer Key:

1. The car that I bought last week is already in the shop. (restrictive)
2. The car, which is red, is already in the shop. (non-restrictive)
3. The book that I read last week was really long. (restrictive)
4. The book, which was written by J.K. Rowling, was really long. (non-restrictive)
5. The restaurant that we went to last night had amazing food. (restrictive)
6. The restaurant, which is located downtown, had amazing food. (non-restrictive)

Conclusion

After reading this article, it is clear that there is a distinct difference between the use of “which” and “that” in the English language. “That” is used to introduce essential clauses, while “which” introduces non-essential clauses. Understanding the difference between these two words is crucial for clear and effective communication.

Key Takeaways:

• Use “that” to introduce essential clauses.
• Use “which” to introduce non-essential clauses.
• Essential clauses are necessary to the meaning of the sentence, while non-essential clauses are not.
• Be mindful of the commas surrounding “which” and “that” when used in a sentence.

It is important to continue learning about grammar and language use to improve communication skills. By understanding the proper use of “which” and “that,” writers can create more concise and effective sentences.