Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 2: How to distinguish a restrictive attributive clause from a non-restrictive attributive clause
• Method 2 of 2: Determining which to use: “That” or “Which”

Sometimes even native English speakers find it difficult to know when to use “which” in a sentence and when to use “that”. If you understand the difference between restrictive and non-restrictive qualifying clauses, and how and when to use them, it will be easier for you to understand the use of “which” and “that”.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: How to distinguish a restrictive attributive clause from a non-restrictive attributive clause

1. 1 What is a restrictive attributive clause. To understand how to properly use "which" or "that" in a sentence, the most important thing is to decide whether you want to construct a restrictive or non-restrictive definitive clause.
   • A restrictive attributive clause is a clause that sets restrictions on a subject. It brings meaning to the main sentence, that is, without it, the sentence will not make sense.
   • For example, in the sentence “I like flowers that are purple” there is a restrictive attributive clause, removing which we will change the meaning of the sentence. “That are purple” is a restrictive qualifying clause, because without it, the reader will only know that you love flowers, not specifically purple.
2. 2 What is a non-restrictive attributive clause. A non-restrictive qualifying clause adds information to the main clause, but without it, the meaning of the clause will not change.
   • For example, in the clause “The car, which is red, was totaled in the accident” there is a non-restrictive attributive clause. And if we remove “which is red”, the meaning of the main sentence does not change. The car will also remain broken, no matter if we know its color or not. “Which is red” is a non-restrictive attributive clause.
3. 3 Determine what you are using: restrictive or non-restrictive attributive clause. To do this, ask yourself: will the meaning of the sentence change or not if you add additional information to it.
   • If you remove the subordinate clause and thereby change the meaning, then you are using a restrictive determinative subordinate clause. Removing “that are red” from the sentence “Jimmy likes apples that are red” changes the whole meaning: we might think that Jimmy likes all apples, not just red ones. Therefore, "That are red" is a restrictive attributive clause.
   • If you remove the subordinate clause and the meaning does not change, then you are using a non-restrictive attributive clause.h From the sentence "Jimmy thinks apples, which grow on trees in his yard, are the best fruit" remove "which grow on trees in his yard", and the whole point will not change. We still know that apples are Jimmy's favorite fruit, which means "which grow on trees in his yard" is a non-restrictive determinative clause.

Method 2 of 2: Determining which to use: “That” or “Which”

1. 1 “That” is used in restrictive attributive clauses. If you have determined that by removing the subordinate clause, you will change the whole meaning, then you need to put “that”.
   • For example, in the sentence “I like dogs that are brown,” the subordinate clause “that are brown” is necessary to understand the entire sentence. It limits the types of dogs you like.
2. 2 "Which" is used in restrictive attributive clauses. If by removing the subordinate clause, you just removed additional information, then you need to put "which".
   • For example, in the sentence “I took the firetruck, which is my niece’s favorite toy, to be fixed” the subordinate clause “which is my niece’s favorite toy” provides only additional information. We want to fix the fire truck, and the fact that this is my niece's favorite toy doesn't change the meaning of the sentence.
3. 3 Decide where to put the commas. If you are constructing a non-restrictive definitive clause and therefore use "which", then you need to separate this clause with commas.
   • For example, “I love lobster, which is expensive, because it reminds me of growing up by the ocean” would still make sense without “which is expensive.” Separate this phrase with commas.
   • If you know that you are using a non-restrictive qualifying clause and you are using "which", but you are not sure how to place the commas correctly, check the sentence. It should retain its meaning while removing all comma-separated words.