Which vs That: Rules and Examples

by | Sep 5, 2024 | Commonly Confused Words

Are you wondering about the difference between which vs that?

Which and that are two relative pronouns, and they are often confused by language learners and even native speakers. Choosing the correct word is important because it can affect the meaning of your sentence in both speaking and writing conversations.

Table of Contents

Which vs That

Both words “which” and “that” are used to introduce relative clauses, which are parts of a sentence that give more information about a noun. So, which one should you choose: which or that?

Here is the tip:

  • Use that for essential information
  • Use which for extra, non-essential information

In other words:

  • Use “that” for introducing a restrictive clause in the sentence, and 
  • Use “which” to introduce a non-restrictive clause in the sentence.

If you are still confused, then we need to learn both types of clauses first.

Restrictive vs Non-Restrictive Clauses

What is a Restrictive Clause?

A restrictive clause gives essential information about the noun. This is an essential part of the sentence because the sentence would not make complete sense if the restrictive clause is removed from the sentence. 

Examples

  • The book that I borrowed is on the table. 

In this sentence, “that I borrowed” tells us which book we are talking about.

Note: No commas are used with restrictive clauses, and therefore, we did not use a comma in the above sentence.

What is a Non-Restrictive Clause?

A non-restrictive clause adds extra, non-essential information to the sentence. Therefore, if you remove this extra information from the sentence, the sentence still makes sentence. 

Examples

  • The book, which I borrowed from Sarah, is on the table. 

The words “which I borrowed from Sarah” add more detail, but it is not necessary to identify the book. 

Note: Always use commas with non-restrictive clauses.

When to Use That in a sentence

The word “that” is mostly used to introduce a restrictive clause. 

Examples:

  • The movie that we watched was amazing.
  •  I lost the keys that open the back door.
  • The cake that she baked was delicious. 

Important tip: If the clause tells you when one, use “that” to introduce the clause in the sentence.

When to Use Which

The word “which” is used to introduce a non-restrictive clause. See the following examples:

Examples:

  • The Eiffel Tower, which is in Paris, is a famous landmark.
  • His phone, which he bought last week, is already broken.
  • The exam, which was quite difficult, took three hours to complete.

Important tip: If the clause just adds extra information that can be removed and the sentence still makes sense, then use the word  “which.”

Which vs That: Comparision Table

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Examples Using Which or That

Here are some more example sentences using which and that:

  • The bike that he bought last week is already broken.
  • Her phone, which has a cracked screen, still works fine.
  • The dogs that bark loudly live next door.
  • The meeting, which was scheduled for Monday, has been postponed.

Conclusion

The key to using which vs that correctly lies in identifying whether the information is essential or just extra detail. If the information is necessary and it is information without which the sentence does not make sense, then you should always use the word “that” without placing a comma. Otherwise, you should use the word “which” with a comma when adding more detail to the sentence. 

The use of which vs that is common in English, and therefore it is essential to learn the correct use of both words. By consistent practice and paying attention to how these words are used, you will gain confidence in your writing and sound more professional.

FAQs About Which vs That

Can “which” and “that” be used interchangeably?

No. Because both words have different meanings and serve different functions in the sentences. 

  • That is used for necessary details.
  • Which is used for optional, extra information, and a comma is used to provide such extra information in the sentence.

Do we always need a comma before which?

Yes. If the clause is non-restrictive, we always use a comma because a comma helps separate the extra information.

Is there a difference in spoken vs written English?

Yes. In spoken English, the distinction is often ignored, but in formal writing, the correct use of which vs that is important for clarity.

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