That and Which

As with most grammar rules, there are exceptions and exemptions from the standard
ways that and which should be used in a sentence. To gain understanding of confusing
word pairs, its always best to start with the basics. As we look at how to properly use
that and which, well focus on basic, standard usage.
That and which can be categorized into several different parts of speech. Both words
can function as adectives and pronouns. Additionally, that can serve as a conunction
and as an adverb. Today, were looking at how that and which should be used when
they are working as relative pronouns.
!elative "ronouns
#rom $ikipedia% &A relative pronoun is a pronoun that marks a relative clause within a
larger sentence. 't is called a relative pronoun because it relates to the word that it
modifies.(
)ike adectives and adverbs, relative pronouns modify other words. Adectives modify
nouns%
' have a car.
' have a red car.
Adverbs modify verbs%
' am walking.
' am walking *uickly.
The main difference between adectives and adverbs is that adectives usually modify
things +nouns, while adverbs modify actions +verbs,. !elative pronouns also modify
words, but they often do so as clauses rather than as single, descriptive words. 'n the
examples below, the clauses are italicized.
Bring me the bucket.
Bring me the bucket that has apples in it.
The bucket, which has apples in it, is blue.
The difference between the words that and which, and how they are used as relative
pronouns, depends on whether the clause they belong to is restrictive or nonrestrictive.
!estrictive and -onrestrictive .lauses
!estrictive .lauses Are -ecessary
A restrictive clause is necessary to the meaning of a sentence. #or example%
The bucket that has apples in it is the one ' want.
'f you removed the clause &that has apples in it,( the meaning of the sentence would be
lost. The clause is necessary to the meaning of the sentence and is therefore a
restrictive clause. Because its a restrictive clause, it should take the relative pronoun
that.
-onrestrictive .lauses are /nnecessary
A nonrestrictive clause is not necessary to the meaning of a sentence. 'n fact, it can be
removed from a sentence without affecting its meaning. #or example%
The bucket, which is blue, has apples in it.
There are apples in the bucket, which is blue.
'f you removed the nonrestrictive clause &which is blue,( from either of the sentences
above, the meaning of the sentences would not be lost. $ed still know that the bucket
has apples in it. -ote that in the second example, the nonrestrictive clause adds
information about something that has already been identified. Because the clause is
unnecessary to the meaning of the sentence, we know its a nonrestrictive clause, and
therefore should take the relative pronoun which.
/se that before a restrictive clause.
/se which before a nonrestrictive clause.
The 0asy $ay to !emember the 1ifference Between That and $hich
' -eeded That
'f you need the clause to maintain a sentences meaning, then use that. A *uick trick for
remembering this grammar rule is the phrase &' needed that.(
$hich2
Because which is also an interrogative pronoun used to mark *uestions, it is
*uestionable. 3ou can take it or leave it. 'ts not necessary. Think of the word which with
a *uestion mark +which2, to remind yourself that if the clauses presence is *uestionable
and can be removed, then you should use the word which to introduce the clause.
0xceptions and -otes
4ere are some exceptions and notes to these rules.
$hich can be used restrictively when its preceded by a preposition. #or example,
&The bucket in which the apples have been stored is blue.(
$hich is almost always preceded by a comma, parenthesis, or a dash.
'n British 0nglish, there is little distinction between that and which.
As and Like

As and like are often confused since they are both used to compare actions or
situations. There are, however, important differences.
As
$e use as to talk about ob or function.
' worked as a shop assistant for 5 years when ' was a student.
4e used his shoe as a hammer to hang the picture up.
'n comparisons, the structure 6as adective as is often used.
4es not as tall as his brother
7he ran as fast as she could.
'n the following comparisons as is a conunction 8 its followed by a clause with a subect
and a verb.
4e went to .ambridge /niversity, as his father had before him.
7hes a talented writer, as most of her family are.
)ike
'n the following comparisons, like is a preposition and its followed by a noun or a
pronoun.
've been working like a dog all afternoon.
-one of my brothers are much like me.
7he looks ust like her mother.
)ike and As if9As though
)ike, as if and as though can all be used to make comparisons. There is no difference in
meaning among the : forms.
3ou look as if youve seen a ghost.
3ou talk as though were never going to see each other again.
't looks like its going to rain.
0xpressions with 6as
The following expressions all use as.
As you know, classes restart on ;anuary <=th.
' tried using salt as you suggested but the stain still didnt come out.
As we agreed the company will be split =>9=> between us.
Their house is the same as ours.
?isuse of )ike and As.
The confusion in using like or as is caused by a lack of understanding of the words role.
)ike is used as a preposition, telling where, when or how the noun in the sentence is
doing whatever it may be doing. As is used like a conunction, oining two clauses. A
general rule@of@thumb is that like should be followed by an obect +to make a
prepositional phrase,, and as should be followed by a clause containing a verb.
)ike
?ost of the time, &like( compares two things.
'magine a grown woman acting as a child.
4ere, were comparing two things +the woman and the child,, so like should be used.
'magine a grown woman acting like a child.
The same goes for this next sentence where were comparing the mother and the girl%
The little girl, as her mother, has bright red hair.
0ven though this sentence has a verb after as, the verb has belongs to the first clause,
The little girl has bright red hair. $e need the adverb like to modify her mother.
The little girl, like her mother, has bright red hair.
As
#re*uently, as can be replaced by the way.
-o one makes chocolate cake like my mother does.
Because there is a verb after like +does,, the conunction as should be used. 'ts easy to
say that about this sentence because as can be replaced by the way.
-o one makes chocolate cake the way my mother does.
-o one makes chocolate cake as my mother does.
4e cant play cricket like he used to.
At first glance, there appears to be no verb after like. 4owever, when speaking, we often
leave out verbs which are already implied. The implied verb is play, as in he used to play
cricket. )ike should be changed to as.
4e cant play cricket as he used to before he got so old.