π Adjective Clauses: Which vs. That - Understanding the Difference
Adjective clauses add extra information to a noun or pronoun in a sentence. They begin with a relative pronoun like 'which' or 'that'. But knowing when to use which one can be tricky!
π Defining 'That'
'That' introduces a restrictive clause (also called an essential clause). This type of clause is crucial to the meaning of the sentence. If you remove it, the sentence's core meaning changes.
- π A restrictive clause defines or limits the noun it modifies.
- βοΈ It is NOT set off by commas.
- π£οΈ Use 'that' when the information is essential to understanding which noun is being referred to.
β¨ Defining 'Which'
'Which' introduces a nonrestrictive clause (also called a nonessential clause). This type of clause provides extra, non-essential information. If you remove it, the sentence still makes sense.
- β A nonrestrictive clause adds extra information about the noun.
- βοΈ It is always set off by commas.
- π‘ Use 'which' when the information is additional and not necessary to identify the noun.
π 'Which' vs. 'That': A Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature |
'That' (Restrictive) |
'Which' (Nonrestrictive) |
| Clause Type |
Essential/Restrictive |
Nonessential/Nonrestrictive |
| Importance to Sentence Meaning |
Crucial; changes the meaning if removed. |
Extra; the sentence still makes sense if removed. |
| Commas |
No commas |
Always set off by commas |
| Purpose |
Defines or limits the noun. |
Adds extra information about the noun. |
π Examples in Action
- π The apple that I ate was delicious. ('That I ate' is essential - it specifies *which* apple.)
- π The grapes, which were on sale, were very sweet. ('Which were on sale' is extra information.)
π‘ Key Takeaways
- π― Use 'that' for essential information (no commas).
- β Use 'which' for extra information (with commas).
- π§ Think about whether removing the clause changes the core meaning of the sentence.