Knowing when to use "which" and when to use "that" in a sentence can be difficult, even if you are a native English speaker. Knowing the difference between a restrictive and a non-restrictive clause and how and when to use them can help you learn how to use "which" and "that" correctly.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Distinguish Between a Restrictive and Non-Restrictive Clause
Step 1. Determine what a restrictive clause is
The key to knowing whether you need to use "which" or "that" in a sentence is deciding whether you need to create a restrictive or non-restrictive clause.
- A restrictive clause is one that sets limits on the subject of the sentence. A restrictive clause also contributes to the meaning of the sentence. The sentence will be meaningless without the restrictive clause.
- For example, the sentence “I like flowers that are purple” contains a restrictive clause, and removing it would change the meaning of the sentence. The restrictive clause is "that are purple", because removing it would tell the reader that you like flowers, but not purple.
Step 2. Determine what a non-restrictive clause is
A non-restrictive clause adds information to the sentence, but removing it does not change its meaning.
For example, the sentence “The car, which is red, was totaled in the accident” contains a non-restrictive clause, because “which is red” can be removed without changing the meaning of the sentence. The car will still be smashed, no matter if we know its color or not. The non-restrictive clause is “which is red”
Step 3. Determine if you are using a restrictive or non-restrictive clause
When trying to figure out whether you are using a restrictive or non-restrictive clause, ask yourself if the clause changes the meaning of the sentence or simply adds information to it.
- If removing the clause changes the meaning of the sentence, you are using a restrictive clause. In the sentence "Jimmy likes apples that are red", taking out "that are red" changes its meaning, since you might think that Jimmy likes all apples and not just them. red Therefore, "that are red" is a restrictive clause.
- If removing the clause does not change the meaning of the sentence, you are using a non-restrictive clause. In the sentence "Jimmy thinks apples, which grow on trees in his yard, are the best fruit", take out "which grow on trees in his yard "does not change the meaning of the sentence. Apples are still known to be Jimmy's favorite fruits, and therefore "which grow on trees in his yard" is a non-restrictive clause.
Part 2 of 2: Deciding whether to use "that" or "which"
Step 1. Use “that” for the restrictive clauses
If you determine that omitting the clause changes the meaning of the sentence, you need to use "that" in your sentence.
For example, in the sentence “I like dogs that are brown”, the clause “that are brown” is crucial to understanding the sentence. The clause limits the types of dogs you like
Step 2. Use "which" for non-restrictive clauses
If omitting the clause only removes additional information from the sentence, you need to use "which" in your sentence.
For example, in the sentence “I took the firetruck, which is my niece's favorite toy, to be fixed”, the clause “which is my niece's favorite toy”just adds information to the sentence. You're taking the fire truck to get it fixed. The fact that the truck is your niece's favorite toy does not change the meaning of the sentence
Step 3. Determine where to place commas
If you create a non-restrictive clause and therefore use "which" in your sentence, the clause must be surrounded by commas.
- For example, “I love lobster, which is expensive, because it reminds me of growing up by the ocean” would make sense without “which is expensive”. This is the phrase that you must surround with commas.
- If you know you have a non-restrictive clause and need to use "which", but don't know where to put the commas, give it a try. Your sentence should still make sense if you remove the words that are surrounded by commas.