That versus which restrictive

A nonrestrictive clause, on the other hand, is used to supply additional information that is not essential to understanding the main point of the sentence.

Consider this example: The book, which I found at a dusty used bookstore, was a real page-turner. The clause which I found at a dusty used bookstore is nonrestrictive because it adds extra information, almost like an aside. You could delete the details about the bookstore, and the sentence would still make sense. In this example, which is preceded by a comma; nonrestrictive clauses tend to follow punctuation like a comma, a dash, or parenthesis. Which is only used in restrictive clauses if it is preceded by a preposition.

However, the above distinction is a rule of formal American English, and is not as strictly observed in British English or in informal English of any type.

Feedback We've Added New Words! Word of the Day. Meanings Meanings. How do you use that? Examples of that in use In the following sentences, the precise meaning is altered if each restrictive clause is removed: The song that you performed right before intermission is my favorite. Kaylee, who just graduated from high school, is an accomplished figure skater. While the nonrestrictive clause who just graduated from high school offers a good description of the subject of this sentence, Kaylee , the sentence retains its meaning without it.

Kaylee is an accomplished figure skater. A broad rule you can apply to relative clauses in order to punctuate them correctly is that restrictive clauses are never offset by commas, whereas nonrestrictive clauses are.

One way to remember this is that nonrestrictive clauses are removable, and commas mark the removable part of the sentence. Restrictive clauses , on the other hand, are essential; they need to blend with their sentences seamlessly, without commas. Would you lend me the book, that you recommended last week? Would you lend me the book that you recommended last week? Confusion about when to use that and which has arisen for good reason: British and American English have different rules for them.

In American English, that is used to introduce restrictive clauses , and which introduces nonrestrictive clauses. The lamp, which was given to me by Aunt Betsy, is on the bedside table. In British English, it is often acceptable to substitute which in restrictive clauses. The lamp which Aunt Betsy gave me is on the bedside table. Of course, that could also be used acceptably in British English, which makes it safer, by default, to follow the American rule when in doubt.

Ralph Waldo Emerson. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Which and that are common words, but they are important. By identifying your clauses as defining or non-defining, you can easily remember when to use which and when to use that.

If you are ready to learn more, study up on defining and non-defining clauses. Real-time suggestions, wherever you write. Which vs. That: How to Choose Shundalyn Allen. In a defining clause, use that.