English : Which or That ?

Question

What are the rules for using the words 'that' or 'which'?

e.g. I jumped onto a bus 'that' was red

or

I jumped onto a bus 'which' was red

Not sure if that's a very good example but hopefully you'll get the gist.

Dr John, define a defining clause please .....

Answer 1

Use "that" to introduce a defining clause

Answer 2

I found this if it's of any help:

'What is the difference between which (or who) and that, and how can you tell which one to use?

The basic question is whether you, or the person you are talking to, already knows what it is that you are talking about. In the sentence 'I've lost the book that I was reading yesterday', that introduces information that the listener needs in order to know what book is being talked about. You can also say 'I've lost the book which I was reading yesterday'.

In 'This book, which I bought yesterday, is very interesting', which tells the listener something new about a book that has already been identified. You shouldn't use that in sentences of this kind.'

Answer 3

I jumped onto a bus THAT was red.

Or to be less redundant, I jumped onto a red bus.

Answer 4

If it's an important fact that the bus was red, use "that."

If the fact that the bus was red isn't important, use "which," and put a comma before the word "which."

Either one could be correct.

Answer 5

that can not be used in a non-defining relative clause.
Clear as mud.
That bus I jumped onto was red.
or use which I think.

Answer 6

That was red ususually describes past tense and sounds better in your statement

Answer 7

i would say i jumped on to a bus what was red.
my grammer is terrible =)

Answer 8

They both work. "Which" is preceded by a comma.