That or which in defining relative clauses

The idea

For things, use that or which without commas. Both are common in British English; American usage often prefers that, especially in edited writing. If the word is the object, it can be omitted. After a preposition placed before it, use which, not that.

Examples

• The lamp that stands by the door is broken.
• We chose a route which avoids the tunnel.
• The soup that Amir made smells wonderful.
• The book which Lena borrowed is on the desk.
• The bicycle I repaired now has a bell.
• Please return the key that opens the garden gate.

Watch out

Do not put commas around a clause needed to identify the thing. A clause that adds extra information takes commas and uses which, not that.

Try it yourself

1. Choose every correct option. The train ___ stops here goes to York. (that / which)

   Show answer or example answer

   that / which

   that and which both stand for the train and are the subject of the clause.

2. Choose every correct option. The cake ___ we ordered has arrived. (that / which)

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   that / which

   that and which both refer to the cake, the object of the order; the word could also be omitted.

3. Choose every correct option. The box in ___ she keeps seeds is blue. (that / which)

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   which

   which follows the preposition in directly; that cannot follow it here.

Use it today

Describe an object using a defining clause, then write another where the relative word is the object.