Have you ever paused while writing, wondering whether to use “which” or “that” in your sentence? You’re not alone. This common grammar dilemma trips up even experienced writers, but understanding the difference is simpler than you might think.
The Core Difference
The fundamental distinction between “which” and “that” lies in whether the information that follows is essential (restrictive) or non-essential (non-restrictive) to the meaning of the sentence.
When to Use “That”
Use “that” for essential information that restricts or defines the meaning of the sentence. Without this information, the sentence would have a different meaning or wouldn’t make sense.
Example:
- “The phone that was broken yesterday needs to be replaced.” (This tells us which specific phone needs replacement)
- “The books that have red covers belong on the top shelf.” (This specifies which books go on the top shelf)
When to Use “Which”
Use “which” for non-essential information that could be removed without changing the fundamental meaning of the sentence. This information is typically set off by commas.
Example:
- “My phone, which was broken yesterday, needs to be replaced.” (The fact that it was broken yesterday is extra information)
- “The books, which have red covers, belong on the top shelf.” (All the books belong on the top shelf; their color is just additional information)
The Comma Test for Which vs.That
Here’s a simple trick: If you can put commas around the clause, use “which.” If you can’t, use “that.”
With “That” (No Commas):
- “The car that belongs to Sarah is blue.”
- “The essay that won first prize was written by John.”
- “The movie that we saw last night was excellent.”
With “Which” (With Commas):
Remember
The choice between “which” and “that” isn’t just about grammar rules – it’s about clarity of meaning. When you understand the distinction, you can better convey your intended message and help your readers understand exactly what you mean.
Practice identifying essential and non-essential information in your own writing, and soon the choice between “which” and “that” will become second nature.
- “The car, which belongs to Sarah, is blue.”
- “My first essay, which won the prize, was about climate change.”
- “The latest Marvel movie, which premiered last week, broke box office records.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using “which” without commas when the information is essential:
- Incorrect: “The document which you sent needs revision.”
- Correct: “The document that you sent needs revision.”
- Using “that” with non-essential information:
- Incorrect: “The Empire State Building, that was built in 1931, is in New York.”
- Correct: “The Empire State Building, which was built in 1931, is in New York.”
