How to Correctly Use Which vs That in English

Which and that are relative pronouns and wondering which is the correct one to use in sentences is common among language learners. Learning the difference between both wich vs that is important for clear and accurate communication.

In this article, I will explain the difference between which vs that in English grammar, how to use them correctly, and practical examples of everyday conversations to help you understand the correct use of both words.

The Basics of Which vs That

Which and that are both relative pronouns and they are used to introduce clauses in the sentences. Their purpose is to provide extra information about the noun in the sentence. However, the choice between which vs that totally depends on whether the cluase is restrictive or non-restrictive. 

• That is used to introduce a restrictive clause in the sentence which provides additional information about the noun and this information cannot be removed.
• Which is used to introduce a non-restrictive cluase which also provides additional information about the noun but this information is not essential. if you remove this information from the sentence, your sentence will still make sense.

Therefore, it is important to discuss the restrictive and non-restrictive clauses to better under the correct use of which vs that in sentences.

What are Relative Clauses in English?

Relative clauses are essential components of English grammar because these clauses provide more information about the noun in a sentence.

A relative cluase usually starts with relative pronouns like which, that, who, or whom. As far as which vs that are concerned, it is important to learn relative clauses to better understand the correct use of which vs that.

Example of a relative clause:

• The car that he drives is new.

Here the relative clause “that he drives” provides additional information about the noun “the car”.

Types of Relative Clauses in English Grammar

There are two main types of relative clauses in English grammar:

1. Restrictive / Defining clauses
2. Non-restrictive/Non-defining Clauses

When to Use “That”

Restrictive clauses, also known as defining clauses, provide essential information about the noun in the sentence. These clauses are crucial for identifying the specific noun that is being referred in the sentence. These clauses are also important because if you remove a restrictive clause from the sentence, the meaning of the rest of the sentence will change. 

Here is an example of a restrictive cluase:

• The dog that barks loudly lives next door.

In this sentence, the restrictive cluase is “that barks loudly.” This is the additional information provided in the sentence about the noun “dog”. It specifies more precisely what dog is being referred to in the sentence. 

If you remove this clause from the sentence, the meaning of the leftover sentence will completely change. 

Characteristices of Restrictive Clauses

There are two main points that you should keep in mind:

No Comma: The most important thing about restrictive clauses is that they are not separated by commas. Instead, the restrictive clause is the essential part of the sentence.

Essential Information: Restrictive clauses provide additional information about the noun in the sentence. This piece of information is essential because if you remove the cluase from the sentence, the meaning of the sentence will completely change.

Usage Examples

Here are some examples of sentences that show the correct use of “that” in restrictive clauses:

• The book that you lent me was fascinating.
• The movie that we watched last night was thrilling.
• The team that won the championship is from my hometown.

In these examples, “that” introduces the restrictive clause in the sentences and it is essential for the meaning of the sentence.

When to Use “Which”

Which is a relative pronoun as I mentioned at the start of this article. However, It is necessary to under non-restrictive clauses to learn the correct use of which in the sentences.

Non-restrictive clauses, also known as non-defining clauses, also provide extra information about the noun in the sentence. however, this information is not essential to identify the noun and can be removed without changing the meaning of the sentence. 

Example of a Non-Restrictive Cluase:

• The car, which is red, is parked outside.

in this sentence, the non-restrictive cluase is “which is red”. this cluase provides additional information about the noun “car” in the sentence. If you remove this cluase from the sentence, the sentence will still make sense and is considered a complete sentence. Here is the same sentence without a non-restrictive cluase:

• The car is parked outside.

Characteristics of Non-Restrictive Clauses

Here are the important features of non-restrictive clauses that help us to identify these clauses in the sentences:

Use of Comma: When we use non-restrictive clauses in the sentence, they are always separated by a comma.

Non-essential Information: A non-restrictive clause provides additional information about the noun in the sentence. However, this additional information is not essential because if you remove this clause from the sentence, you sentence will still make sentences and convey a complete thought.

Usage Examples

Here are some example sentences demonstrating the use of “which” in non-restrictive clauses:

• The Eiffel Tower, which is in Paris, is a popular tourist attraction. 
• My laptop, which I bought last year, is already outdated. 
• The concert, which was held outdoors, was a huge success.

In each example, “which” introduces a non-restrictive clause that provides extra information about the noun and this information is not essential to understand the meaning of the sentence. Because, if you remove this information, the sentences are still complete.

Which Vs That: How to Avoid Common Mistakes

Here are some common mistakes that you should avoid while using wich vs that in your sentences:

Examples 

• The book which is on the table is mine. (Incorrect)
• the book that is on the table is mine. (Correct)
• My laptop that I bought last year is already outdated. (Incorrect)
• My laptop which I bought last year, is already outdated. (correct)

Practice Exercises: Which vs That

Exercise1: Identify the Clause Type

Please read the following sentences and identify whether the clause used in the sentences is restrictive or non-restrictive”

1. The cake that she baked was delicious.
2. The Grand Canyon, which is in Arizona, is a natural wonder.
3. The player who scored the winning goal is my friend.
4. The tree, which was struck by lightning, needs to be removed.

Answers:

1. Restrictive
2. Non-Restrictive
3. Restrictive
4. Non-Restrictive

Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks with Which or That

Complete the following sentences using the word “which” or “that” according to the context:

1. The movie ____we watched was in French.
2. The painting, ____was created in the 19th century, is worth millions.
3. The recipe ____ you shared with me was fantastic.
4. The phone, ____ has a cracked screen, still works perfectly.

Answers:

1. that
2. which
3. that 
4. which

Additional Tips for Mastery

Here are some additional tips to help you master the correct use of which vs that:

Reading and Listening

Reading and listening are the best ways to learn the correct usage of which vs that. when you listen to native speakers, pay close attention to how they use both pronouns in context. In addition, books, article, and audio materials are great resources that can help you understand the use of both pronouns.

Conclusion

Which and that are both relative pronouns that introduce clauses in the sentence. The choice between which vs that depends on the type of cluase which is being introduced.

That is used to introduce restrictive clause which provides extra information about the noun and this information is essential to understand the meaning of the sentence.

On the other hand, which is used to introduce non-restrictive luase which provides additional and non-essential information.

I hope this article helped you learn the difference between which vs that, how to correctly use them in sentences, and what functions they play in the sentence.

If you liked it, please subscribe to our newsletter for more articles on grammar, vocabulary, and language learning.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for the latest updates.

Related Posts

• Common Doctors Names in English
• Health and Fitness Vocabulary in English
• Common Diseases and Illnesses Names in English
• Medical Supplies Names in English
• Medical Vocabulary in English