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Library›Relative Clauses
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That vs Which

In defining clauses (the ones without commas), both that and which are grammatically correct. In non-defining clauses (the ones with commas), only which is possible — that never appears after a comma.

The hotel that we stayed at was fantastic.
The hotel which we stayed at was fantastic.

Both sentences above are correct. They identify which hotel you mean.

The Grand Hotel, which opened in 1923, is closing next month.

Only which works here. The clause adds extra information about a hotel already identified by name.

American vs British preference

The grammar is the same on both sides of the Atlantic, but the habits differ.

American English strongly prefers that in defining clauses. Most US style guides treat which without commas as a stylistic error. The split is clean: that for defining, which for non-defining.

British English uses that and which interchangeably in defining clauses. A British newspaper might print the car which I bought or the car that I bought with equal ease. Neither version raises an eyebrow.

Both varieties agree on one point: that cannot appear in a non-defining clause. No dialect of English allows a comma before that in a relative clause.

American: The report that Sarah wrote was approved.
British: The report which Sarah wrote was approved.
Both: The report, which Sarah wrote in two days, was approved.

When only "that" works

Certain structures require that. Using which in these positions sounds unnatural or is avoided by nearly all speakers.

After superlatives:

It was the best meal that I had ever tasted.
This is the worst film that we have seen this year.

After all, every, any, no, the only, the first, the last:

She ignored every email that arrived after five o'clock.
The only answer that made sense was the simplest one.
There was nothing on the menu that he could eat.

After something, anything, nothing, everything:

Is there anything that I can do to help?
Everything that he predicted turned out to be wrong.

In all these cases, that is the default choice. Omitting the pronoun entirely (the best meal I had ever tasted) is also natural and common.

When "that" cannot be used

Three situations block that entirely.

After a comma (non-defining clause). This is the core rule. A comma signals that the clause is extra information, and that does not introduce extra information.

Paris, which is the capital of France, attracts millions of tourists.

After a preposition. When a preposition comes directly before the relative pronoun, only which is possible.

The chair on which she sat was antique.
The university from which he graduated closed down.

If the preposition moves to the end of the clause, that becomes available again: the chair that she sat on. This version is more common in everyday speech.

When referring to an entire clause. Sometimes which refers back to the whole previous statement, not to a single noun.

She passed the exam on her first attempt, which surprised everyone.
The flight was delayed by three hours, which meant we missed the connection.

Here which means "and this fact". There is no single noun for that to attach to, so that does not work in this structure.

Who vs that for people

In defining clauses, both who and that are correct for people.

The colleague who recommended the book is on holiday.
The colleague that recommended the book is on holiday.

Some style guides prefer who for people and reserve that for things, but the use of that for people has a long history in English and is perfectly standard.

In non-defining clauses, use who — not that, not which — for people.

James, who lives in Berlin, speaks four languages.

Common mistakes

Using "that" in non-defining clauses

My car, that I bought last year, needs new tyres.
My car, which I bought last year, needs new tyres.
Tokyo, that is the capital of Japan, has a population of over 13 million.
Tokyo, which is the capital of Japan, has a population of over 13 million.

Missing commas around non-defining clauses

The new office which is on the third floor opens on Monday.
The new office, which is on the third floor, opens on Monday.
Her brother who is a doctor lives in Stockholm.
Her brother, who is a doctor, lives in Stockholm.

Using "that" after a preposition

the reason for that I called
the reason for which I called
the project on that she worked
the project on which she worked

Using "which" where "that" is expected

everything which you need
everything that you need
the only thing which matters
the only thing that matters

Using "which" for people

the teacher which helped me
the teacher who helped me
a friend which I trust
a friend who I trust

On this page

  • American vs British preference
  • When only "that" works
  • When "that" cannot be used
  • Who vs that for people
  • Common mistakes
← PreviousNon-Defining Relative ClausesNext →Where, When, and Why

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