Example: Draw something that pertains to the letter b
or -
Draw something which pertains to the letter b
How do you know which one to use???
2007-01-02 05:59:28 · 13 answers · asked by Sue K 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
I didn't mean to type 'what', I meant 'that'!
2007-01-02 06:12:59 · update #1
Both are correct in this context and are interchangeable.
2007-01-02 07:09:01 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
"That" is used when the clause that comes after is necessary for the meaning of the sentence. (a restrictive clause)
Draw something that pertains to the letter b: The clause "pertains to the letter b" is necessary, otherwise the sentence would read, "Draw something." (Okay, draw what?) (a nonrestrictive clause)
"Which" is used when the phrase is unnecessary. Here is an embellishment of your sentence using "which": "Draw something pertaining to the letter b, which is the second letter of the English alphabet." The phrase about b being the second letter is not necessary to the meat of the sentence: "Draw something about the letter b."
I hope this helps.
2007-01-02 06:24:06 · answer #2 · answered by warehaus 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The use of "that" tends to be an Americanisation. It's a very lazy replacement for "which" and also for "who".
Americans often say:
"I know someone that plays piano. He's a cousin of mine that started lessons when he was six years old."
which should be:
"I know someone who plays piano. He's a cousin of mine who started lessons when he was six years old."
In other words, he's not a thing, he's a person. Duh.
They also often say:
"I called the helpline that runs seven days a week. They said the warantee that I registered had expired."
but really should be:
"I called the helpline which runs seven days a week. They said the warantee which I registered had expired."
In other words, it's supposed to point out "which one" in a vast array of choices.
2007-01-02 07:15:24 · answer #3 · answered by Summer 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You haven't used 'what' in the first instance you've used 'that'! 'That' and 'which' can be used inter-changeably most of the time but 'what' should only be used for questionning.
What do you want?
What time is it?
Draw something what pertains..etc would be incorrect but you could get away with it in spoken English.
2007-01-02 06:05:38 · answer #4 · answered by Kaela 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
What is only used as a nominal relative, meaning 'the thing(s) which'. It cannot be used as as an ordinary relative pronoun after a noun or pronoun.
We haven't got everything that you ordered. (NOT everything what)
The only thing that keeps me awake is coffee. (NOT The only thing what)
We use which, not what, to refer to a whole clause that comes before.
Sally married George, which made Paul very unhappy. (NOT which made..)
2007-01-04 04:33:37 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
what do you mean , and in which subject do you wish to know. what is used when you are directing a question at a person. you use which when there is a choice in the question ie more than one direction ,choice of colour etc
2007-01-02 06:14:34 · answer #6 · answered by paul t 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when you use which, usually u have a comma before it unless your saying something like "in which". Otherwise an example would be: "the ruling party always wins the elections, which some believe...." if you try putting "that" in there it doesn't work.
hope it helps! :)
2007-01-02 06:10:01 · answer #7 · answered by Low profile 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
that pertains
2007-01-02 06:08:33 · answer #8 · answered by breezinabout 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Use "which" to impress. Use "that" amongst friends.
2007-01-02 06:09:34 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think they're both correct.
Which is related to things, that is related to things and people.
2007-01-02 06:02:05 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋