When writers
confuse that and which, essential/nonessential clauses are usually involved.
Essential
and nonessential clauses give additional information about a word or phrase. The
difference between them is an essential clause cannot be removed without changing
the intended meaning of the sentence, thus making it necessary – or essential - to the sentence.
Here are the
rules to remember:
Starts with that Starts
with which
Not set off by commas Set off by commas
Necessary for intended Not necessary for intended
meaning
of sentence meaning
of sentence
Let’s try some examples:
Pit
bulls that are too aggressive should be illegal to own.
Pit
bulls, which are too aggressive, should be illegal to own.
In the first sentence, the writer is
saying a specific set of dogs - pit bulls “that are too aggressive” – should be
illegal. If the “that are too aggressive” clause is removed, the intended
meaning of the sentence is changed to target all pit bulls. So, the phrase
“that are too aggressive” is essential
to the meaning of the sentence.
In the second sentence, the writer
is saying all pit bulls should be illegal. Removing the “which are too
aggressive” clause doesn’t change the meaning of the sentence. So, the phrase
“which are too aggressive” is not essential
to the sentence.
The
key that starts the car has a square head.
The
key, which starts the car, has a square head.
In
the first sentence, the writer is saying a specific key – the one used to start
the car – has a square head. If the essential clause “that starts the car” is
removed, then the intended meaning is changed to refer to a key in general.
In the second sentence, the writer is referring to a
general key, which just happens to start the car.
Incorrect:
The loaf of bread, that is a day old, can be fed to the birds.
Incorrect:
The loaf of bread which is a day old can be fed to the birds.
Correct:
The loaf of bread that is a day old can be fed to the birds.
Correct:
The loaf of bread, which is a day old, can be fed to the birds.
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