The relative pronoun that is used with an essential clause, and the relative pronoun which is used with a nonessential clause. Explain when to use each pronoun and the difference between the two types of relative clauses.
The relative pronoun "that" is used with an essential clause, while the relative pronoun "which" is used with a nonessential clause.
Essential clauses, also known as restrictive clauses, provide essential information about the noun they modify. These clauses cannot be removed from the sentence without changing its meaning. Here, "that" is used to introduce the essential clause. For example, consider the sentence: "The book that I borrowed from the library is due tomorrow." In this case, "that I borrowed from the library" is essential to identify which book is being referred to.
Nonessential clauses, also known as nonrestrictive clauses, provide additional information about the noun they modify but are not necessary to define or identify it. These clauses can be removed from the sentence without affecting its overall meaning. The relative pronoun "which" is used to introduce nonessential clauses. For example, consider the sentence: "My laptop, which is brand new, stopped working yesterday." In this case, "which is brand new" provides additional information about the laptop, but it is not necessary to understand which laptop is being talked about.
To summarize, "that" is used for essential clauses that are necessary for the sentence's meaning, while "which" is used for nonessential clauses that provide extra information not crucial to the sentence's meaning.
The relative pronoun "that" is generally used with essential clauses, while "which" is used with nonessential clauses.
Here's when you would use each one:
1. "That" is used with essential clauses:
- Essential clauses provide information that is necessary to understand the meaning of the sentence. They cannot be removed without changing the intended meaning of the sentence.
- Example: "The car that I bought is red." Here, the essential clause "that I bought" is necessary to specify which car is being referred to.
2. "Which" is used with nonessential clauses:
- Nonessential clauses provide additional information that is not necessary for understanding the meaning of the sentence. They can be removed without changing the intended meaning of the sentence.
- Example: "My new car, which I bought last week, is red." Here, the nonessential clause "which I bought last week" provides additional information about the car, but it is not essential to understand which car is being referred to.
The main difference between essential and nonessential clauses lies in their importance to the overall meaning of the sentence. Essential clauses are crucial for understanding the sentence, while nonessential clauses provide additional, but not essential, information.
Note that the use of "that" and "which" can sometimes be interchangeable, especially in informal contexts. However, following the standard rules outlined above will help ensure clarity and correctness in your writing.