"That" or "Which"?

In business writing classes, people often ask about the difference between that and which. Where should each word be used? What's the difference between them?

It can be a tricky question, and I don't look forward to talking about it in classes. That's because the distinction between that and which can be very subtle and take too much time to absorb in class. (And if you don't like subtle grammar and usage questions, stop reading this post. But come back tomorrow!)

The subject came up last week, when Jean of FaithTrust Institute phoned me and emailed examples that had her perplexed. Analyzing several examples with her made me realize I ought to write about the topic here.

Here's the short answer to the question of that and which:

That usually introduces essential information in what is called a "restrictive clause." Which introduces extra information in a "nonrestrictive clause."

Example from a recent email:

• I am offering a new class, Email Intelligence, that/which may be an excellent fit for your training needs and budget.

Does the clause (in red) introduce information that is essential to knowing which Email Intelligence class?

No. The clause provides extra information, so which is correct.

Revised example:

• Among my new programs, I am offering a class that/which may be an excellent fit for your training needs and budget.

Does the clause (in red) introduce information that is essential to knowing which class?

Yes. The clause tells which class--a class that may be an excellent fit. Therefore, that is correct.

Here's a helpful comment Jean made about the distinction, which may be helpful to you:

"What is FASCINATING to me is that . . . one way to determine . . . the correct word . . . is to ask the question, 'Does the clause clarify which of several possibilities is being referred to?' If the answer is yes, then the correct word to use is that. If the answer is no, the correct word to use is which."

I like the way Jean expressed the surprising rule. An abridged version might be "To clarify which, use that."

Test yourself:

1. Craig uses the AP Stylebook, that/which newspapers and magazines follow.
2. Michelle likes a Oaxacan restaurant that/which is on Ballard Avenue.
3. Lynn wrote about the that/which rule, that/which confuses many people.

Answers: 1. which, 2. that, 3. which

You've probably noticed that "which clauses" are set off by commas--"that clauses" are not.

Sometimes that can be omitted: Michelle likes a Oaxacan restaurant on Ballard Avenue.

If you have gotten this far, which I know you have, congratulations. That is an achievement!

Comments

[jym]

As a French person who wants (who tries) to write proper English, the use of 'that' vs 'which' was unclear until I saw your topic. Thanks. jym

[Brian May]

I think you are wrong about "That" and "Which". Your views follow some previous writers on the subject, but, in my opinion, you have confused the change of meaning which the commas introduce with the effect of the words themselves. I believe you are right only in part ... "That' cannot be used for a non-rstrictuve clause, but, without commas, it is perfectly legimite to use "which" to introduce a restrictive clause. there are many examples in English literature, from Dickens onwards. You are making a false rule here. The words which you are using will confuse some people !!!

Cheers

brian

[Lynn]

Hi, Brian. Thank you for your opinion. Do any current reference books agree with you? All the books in my library support my explanation, so it would help me to know your sources.

Although I appreciate his writing, I don't count Charles Dickens as a resource for 21st-century business writers.

[Jim Harvie]

I loved everything you wrote until I got to not counting Charles Dickens as a resourse for 21st-century business writers. That was a developing trend in the 20th century, I thought we had progressed from it.
This makes me disengage.

[Lynn]

Jim, thank you for your views. You helped me realize that I had not been explicit in my previous comment. I should have written "I don't count Charles Dickens as a GRAMMAR resource for 21st-century business writers."

Language and writing have evolved since the 19th century, when Dickens was writing. As a 21st-century business writer, I would not copy his punctuation or his grammar. Instead I use current business writing guides.

Do you recommend a different approach?

[Manuel]

UK oxford says which is allowed just as Brian stated.

http://www.askoxford.com/betterwriting/classicerrors/grammartips/whichorthat?view=uk

[Mimsys Wallows]

I agree with Lynn, and I believe The Complete Plain Words also concurs.

[Mimsys Wallows]

Sir Ernest Gowers, in The Complete Plain Words: 'That cannot be used as a commenting clause; the relative must be which. With a defining clause either which or that is permissible. When in a defining clause the relative is in the objective case, it can be left out altogether. Thus we have three variants.'

[Lynn Gaertner-Johnston]

Mimsys, I appreciate your contributing. I am fairly certain, though, that your example does not support my view. Sir Ernest Gowers seems to state that both "that" and "which" are correct with restrictive clauses. (He calls them "defining clauses.")

This appears to be a UK vs. US distinction. American references do not recommend "which" for restrictive clauses.

Lynn

[Michael A]

I found this very helpful and it makes my letters feel a bit more natural. Thanks!

[The Peasant]

I am still confused!

[Lynn Gaertner-Johnston]

If you are confused, just write short sentences without "that" and "which" clauses attached.

Lynn

[Janet]

I agree that the United States and the United Kingdom do not write, or speak the same English. Therefore, the UK opinions will definately differ from those of us from the good ol' US.

[Anon]

Very amusing comment, Lyn, regarding 'The Peasant's' post. The problem with avoiding the use of 'that' and 'which' in your sentences is that you risk sounding like a telegrapher!

Janet: what you say is true, however 'definitely' is spelled the same in both countries. Without an 'a'.

[jamie]

Anon,

You're right about the spelling; however, a conjunctive adverb connecting two independent clauses is preceded by a semi-colon and followed by a comma.

Almost always imperfectly,

Jamie