Relative Clauses Questions Long
In defining relative clauses, both 'which' and 'that' serve as relative pronouns that introduce additional information about a noun or a noun phrase within a sentence. They help to provide essential details that define or identify the noun being referred to.
1. 'Which':
- 'Which' is used to introduce non-restrictive relative clauses, which means that the information it provides is not necessary for the basic understanding of the sentence.
- It is set off by commas and adds extra information that is not crucial to the sentence's meaning.
- For example: "My car, which is blue, is parked outside." Here, the relative clause "which is blue" provides additional information about the car, but it does not change the essential meaning of the sentence.
2. 'That':
- 'That' is used to introduce restrictive relative clauses, which means that the information it provides is essential for understanding the sentence.
- It does not require commas and provides necessary information that cannot be omitted without changing the meaning of the sentence.
- For example: "The book that I borrowed from the library is very interesting." In this sentence, the relative clause "that I borrowed from the library" is essential to identify which book is being referred to.
In summary, 'which' is used for non-restrictive relative clauses, providing additional, non-essential information, while 'that' is used for restrictive relative clauses, providing essential information that cannot be omitted. The choice between 'which' and 'that' depends on the type of information being conveyed and its importance in the sentence.