Author Topic: "Which" and "that."  (Read 3474 times)

Sky

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"Which" and "that."
« on: October 21, 2011, 01:39:55 PM »
Can we use either "which" or "that" in the two sentences below?

1. Apple Inc. is an American computer hardware and software company (that/which) produces Apple desktop computers, the MacBook and iPhone mobile phones.

2. Apple Inc. is a public company (that/which) is listed on the NSSDAQ.

I would prefer "that" in Item 1 and "which" in Item 2 but just do not know the rules governing them.

Thanks

Joe Carillo

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Re: "Which" and "that."
« Reply #1 on: October 21, 2011, 09:35:16 PM »
The relative pronouns “which” or “that” can be used in the two sentences below depending on the English standard used by the writer or speaker.

American English prescribes “that” to indicate that the relative modifying clause is a restrictive one, as follows:

(1) “Apple Inc. is an American computer hardware and software company that produces Apple desktop computers, the MacBook and iPhone mobile phones.

(2) “Apple Inc. is a public company that is listed on the NSSDAQ.”

On the other hand, British English prescribes “which” to introduce a relative modifying clause regardless of whether it is restrictive or nonrestrictive, as follows:

(1) “Apple Inc. is an American computer hardware and software company which produces Apple desktop computers, the MacBook and iPhone mobile phones.

(2) “Apple Inc. is a public company which is listed on the NSSDAQ.”

Recall that in English, a restrictive or defining relative clause provides essential information to the main clause of a sentence, while a nonrestrictive or nondefining relative clause provides information not essential to the idea or context of the main clause. American English observes this distinction by using the relative pronoun “that” for restrictive clauses and “which” for nonrestrictive ones.

For a detailed discussion of the American English usage of “who,” “that,” and “which” to link the two types of relative clauses, click the indicated links to the following essays of mine posted earlier in the Forum:

Getting to know the relative clauses better - Part I

Getting to know the relative clauses better - Part II

Getting to know the relative clauses better - Part III


Sky

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Re: "Which" and "that."
« Reply #2 on: October 26, 2011, 05:00:14 PM »
Thanks, sir!