Proper Use of "That" vs. "Which" and When to Use "Who
undefined
•
WHEN IT IS APPROPRIATE TO USE
•
THAT
VS.
WHICH
•
WHEN TO USE
WHO
INSTEAD OF
THAT
That vs. Which (and Who)
That
That
should be used to introduce a restrictive clause.
A
restrictive clause
is one that is essential to the
meaning of a sentence. If a restrictive clause is
removed, the meaning of the sentence will change.
Correct
: The mice
that
were given the experimental drug
were drowsy.
This sentence implies that some mice were given the drug and
others were not; only those that were given the drug were
drowsy.
Which
Which
should be used to introduce a
non
restrictive
clause. A
non
restrictive
clause can be left out and
the meaning of the rest of the sentence will not be
changed.
Correct
: The mice,
which
were given the experimental drug,
were drowsy.
This sentence implies that all the mice were given
the drug, and all were drowsy.
That vs. Which Changes the Meaning
The mice
that
were white were given the placebo.
The mice,
which
were white, were given the placebo.
The dogs
that
took the obedience class would stay on
command.
The dogs,
which
took the obedience class, would stay
on command.
Maximize Clarity
The dogs
that
ate the dark chocolate chips had to have
their stomachs pumped, but the one
that
ate the
butterscotch chips did not.
Only some dogs had to have their stomachs pumped; those were
the ones that ate dark chocolate, which is poisonous to dogs in
pretty small amounts. This part of the sentence implies that there
were other dogs that did not have to have their stomachs pumped,
and the second clause tells us which ones were so fortunate.
Butterscotch chips are not toxic to dogs.
Who
Use
that
or
which
when referring to an object, but
use
who
when referring to a person.
The people
who
ate the pizza threw up.
The people,
who
ate the pizza, threw up.
The dogs
that
ate the pizza threw up.
The dogs,
which
ate the pizza, threw up.
For more information on deciding between that vs. which, please visit: http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/which-versus-that-0
Also visit: http://www.dailywritingtips.com/that-vs-which/
For additional instruction on this topic, refer to the That vs. Which section of the Grammar module.
For a short exercise on “that” vs. “which” vs. “who”, please visit: http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/quizzes/which_quiz.htm
Understand the distinctions between "that" and "which" when introducing restrictive and nonrestrictive clauses, as well as when to use "who" instead of "that" to refer to a person. "That" is used for restrictive clauses essential to the sentence's meaning, while "which" is for nonrestrictive clauses. Use "who" when referring to individuals. Incorrect usage can alter sentence meanings.
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Presentation Transcript
That vs. Which (and Who) WHEN IT IS APPROPRIATE TO USE THAT VS. WHICH WHEN TO USE WHO INSTEAD OF THAT
That That should be used to introduce a restrictive clause. A restrictive clause is one that is essential to the meaning of a sentence. If a restrictive clause is removed, the meaning of the sentence will change. Correct: The mice that were given the experimental drug were drowsy. This sentence implies that some mice were given the drug and others were not; only those that were given the drug were drowsy.
Which Which should be used to introduce a nonrestrictive clause. A nonrestrictive clause can be left out and the meaning of the rest of the sentence will not be changed. Correct: The mice, which were given the experimental drug, were drowsy. This sentence implies that all the mice were given the drug, and all were drowsy.
That vs. Which Changes the Meaning The mice that were white were given the placebo. The mice, which were white, were given the placebo. The dogs that took the obedience class would stay on command. The dogs, which took the obedience class, would stay on command.
Maximize Clarity The dogs that ate the dark chocolate chips had to have their stomachs pumped, but the one that ate the butterscotch chips did not. Only some dogs had to have their stomachs pumped; those were the ones that ate dark chocolate, which is poisonous to dogs in pretty small amounts. This part of the sentence implies that there were other dogs that did not have to have their stomachs pumped, and the second clause tells us which ones were so fortunate. Butterscotch chips are not toxic to dogs.
Who Use that or which when referring to an object, but use who when referring to a person. The people who ate the pizza threw up. The people, who ate the pizza, threw up. The dogs that ate the pizza threw up. The dogs, which ate the pizza, threw up.
