Introduction:
What is the difference between that and which? As a writer, you may have stumbled upon the dilemma of choosing between “that” and “which” in your sentences. While both words are relative pronouns, they serve different purposes and are not interchangeable. Understanding the distinction between “that” and “which” is crucial for maintaining clarity and coherence in your writing. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the differences between these two words and provide examples to help you use them correctly.
The Role of “That”:
“That” is a restrictive pronoun, meaning it introduces essential information that is necessary for the meaning of the sentence. Without the information introduced by “that,” the sentence would be incomplete or unclear. Use “that” when the clause it introduces is vital to the meaning of the sentence.
Examples:
- The book that I borrowed from the library is due next week. (The clause “that I borrowed from the library” is essential to identify the specific book.)
- The house that Jack built is now for sale. (The clause “that Jack built” is necessary to specify which house is being referred to.)
- I prefer the coffee that is made from freshly ground beans. (The clause “that is made from freshly ground beans” is essential to describe the type of coffee being preferred.)
The Role of “Which”:
“Which,” on the other hand, is a non-restrictive pronoun. It introduces additional information that is not essential to the meaning of the sentence. The information provided by “which” is more of a side note or an extra detail. When using “which,” the clause it introduces is typically set off by commas.
Examples:
- The library, which is located downtown, has an extensive collection of books. (The clause “which is located downtown” provides additional information about the library but is not essential to the meaning of the sentence.)
- My new car, which I bought last month, has great fuel efficiency. (The clause “which I bought last month” is an extra detail about the car and can be removed without changing the core meaning of the sentence.)
- The coffee shop, which offers a variety of pastries, is my favorite place to work. (The clause “which offers a variety of pastries” is a non-essential piece of information about the coffee shop.)
The Comma Rule:
One easy way to remember the difference between “that” and “which” is the comma rule. If the clause is set off by commas, use “which.” If there are no commas, use “that.”
Examples:
- The book that has a red cover is my favorite. (no commas, use “that”)
- The book, which has a red cover, is my favorite. (commas, use “which”)
Exceptions and Special Cases:
- When referring to people, use “who” instead of “that” or “which.” Example: The person who wrote this article is a grammar enthusiast.
- In some cases, “that” can be omitted for brevity, especially in informal writing. Example: The book I borrowed from the library is due next week.
- “Which” can be used to introduce a restrictive clause when it is preceded by a preposition. Example: The situation in which we find ourselves is challenging.
Conclusion:
Mastering the difference between “that” and “which” is a valuable skill for any writer. By understanding the restrictive nature of “that” and the non-restrictive nature of “which,” you can effectively convey your intended meaning and avoid ambiguity in your writing. Remember to use “that” for essential information and “which” for additional details, and keep the comma rule in mind. With practice and attention to detail, you’ll be able to confidently navigate the “that” vs. “which” dilemma and elevate your writing to the next level.
Etymology of “that” and “which”:
Etymology of “That”:
Old English: “þæt” (pronounced “that”)
Proto-Germanic: “*þat”
Proto-Indo-European: “*tod”
“That” is derived from the Old English word “þæt,” which was used as a neuter singular demonstrative pronoun, as well as a relative pronoun and a conjunction. It is related to similar words in other Germanic languages, such as Dutch “dat,” German “das,” and Gothic “þata.” These words can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic “*þat,” which is thought to have originated from the Proto-Indo-European “*tod,” meaning “that” or “it.”
Etymology of “Which”:
Old English: “hwilc” (pronounced “hweelk”)
Proto-Germanic: “*hwilīkaz”
Proto-Indo-European: “*kwo-” + “*lī” (suffix)
“Which” comes from the Old English word “hwilc,” which was an interrogative and relative pronoun that meant “which,” “what kind of,” or “what sort of.” It is derived from the Proto-Germanic word “*hwilīkaz,” a compound of the Proto-Indo-European interrogative stem “kwo-” (meaning “who” or “what”) and the suffix “-lī,” which was used to form adjectives. The Proto-Germanic word “*hwilīkaz” is also the ancestor of similar words in other Germanic languages, such as Dutch “welk,” German “welch,” and Gothic “ƕileiks.”
Over time, the pronunciation and spelling of these words evolved to their current forms in Modern English, while retaining their primary functions as pronouns and conjunctions.
Lesson plan that Vs Which
Warm-up Activity (10 minutes): Divide the class into two teams. Present sentences with blanks where either “that” or “which” should be used. Teams take turns filling in the blanks. Each correct answer earns a point. This activity will help gauge the students’ prior knowledge and get them thinking about the topic.
Storytelling (15 minutes): Introduce two characters, “That” and “Which,” and weave a story around their roles in the English language. “That” is a restrictive superhero who helps sentences convey essential information, while “Which” is a non-restrictive sidekick who provides additional, non-essential details. Use examples from the text to illustrate their powers and how they work together to make sentences clear and coherent.
“That” vs. “Which” Rap Battle (15 minutes): Divide the class into two groups: “Team That” and “Team Which.” Each team creates a short rap verse explaining when to use their assigned word. Encourage students to use examples from the text and to incorporate the comma rule. Have the teams perform their raps for the class, fostering a fun and memorable learning experience.
Scavenger Hunt (15 minutes): Hide cards with sentences containing “that” and “which” throughout the classroom. Students work in pairs to find the cards and determine whether the usage of “that” or “which” is correct in each sentence. If they find an incorrect usage, they should rewrite the sentence on the back of the card. This activity allows students to apply their knowledge in a hands-on way.
Comma Rule Charades (10 minutes): Write sentences containing “that” or “which” on index cards, some with commas and some without. Students take turns acting out the sentences using the comma rule: if they pause dramatically, it indicates the presence of commas (use “which”), and if they act the sentence out continuously, it indicates no commas (use “that”). This kinesthetic activity reinforces the comma rule in a fun and engaging way.
Etymology Trivia (5 minutes): Present interesting facts about the etymology of “that” and “which” as a brief trivia game. For example, “Which word can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European word ‘*tod’?” (Answer: “that”) This activity adds depth to the lesson and helps students appreciate the historical context of the words.
Reflection and Application (5 minutes): Encourage students to reflect on their learning and share how they plan to apply their new knowledge in their own writing. Ask them to set a goal for using “that” and “which” correctly in their next writing assignment.
Assessment:
- Observe student engagement and participation throughout the activities.
- Evaluate the accuracy of their responses during the warm-up activity, scavenger hunt, and comma rule charades.
- Review their written work, including the rap verses and any sentences they rewrote during the scavenger hunt, to assess their understanding and application of the concepts.
10 Practice questions for that vs which
Here are 10 practice questions to help students master the usage of “that” and “which”:
- The book […] I borrowed from the library is overdue. a) that b) which
- The coffee shop, […] is located on Main Street, has the best croissants in town. a) that b) which
- The movie […] won the Oscar for Best Picture was my favorite of the year. a) that b) which
- I love the sweater […] my grandma knitted for me. a) that b) which
- The restaurant, […] serves authentic Italian cuisine, is always crowded on weekends. a) that b) which
- The tree […] fell during the storm caused significant damage to the house. a) that b) which
- The conference, […] I attended last month, provided valuable networking opportunities. a) that b) which
- The software […] we used for the project had a steep learning curve. a) that b) which
- The art exhibition, […] features works by local artists, is worth visiting. a) that b) which
- The recipe […] my friend shared with me turned out to be a huge success at the potluck. a) that b) which
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