What is the Difference Between Which and That?

The difference between "which" and "that" depends on whether the following clause is restrictive or non-restrictive. Here are the key points to remember:

• That: Use "that" to indicate a specific object, item, person, condition, etc. It is used in restrictive clauses, which are essential for understanding the preceding noun. For example, "The bike that I bought is red." In this sentence, the clause "that I bought" is necessary to specify which bike is being referred to.
• Which: Use "which" to add information to objects, items, people, situations, etc. It is used in non-restrictive clauses, which provide additional information but are not essential for understanding the preceding noun. For example, "I love the café, which serves excellent coffee." In this sentence, the clause "which serves excellent coffee" provides extra information about the café but is not necessary to identify it.

To summarize, use "that" in restrictive clauses and "which" in non-restrictive clauses. If the clause is essential for understanding the meaning of the sentence, use "that." If the clause provides additional information but is not necessary for understanding the meaning, use "which".

Comparative Table: Which vs That

The search results provided do not directly address the difference between "which" and "that." However, I can provide an explanation based on my existing knowledge.

"Which" and "that" are both relative pronouns used to introduce relative clauses, but they are not interchangeable. The choice between "which" and "that" depends on the type of relative clause and the context in which it is used:

• That: Use "that" to introduce a restrictive relative clause, which provides essential information to identify the noun or noun phrase it modifies. Restrictive relative clauses are typically used with non-living things or when referring to a specific group or category.

  Example: The books that you recommended are on my desk.

  In this sentence, "that" introduces a restrictive relative clause, specifying which books are on the desk.

• Which: Use "which" to introduce a non-restrictive relative clause, which provides non-essential information about the noun or noun phrase it modifies. Non-restrictive relative clauses are typically used with living things or when giving additional information about a specific group or category.

  Example: The books, which you recommended, are on my desk.

  In this sentence, "which" introduces a non-restrictive relative clause, providing additional information about the books on the desk.

Here is a summary of the difference between "which" and "that" in a table format: