Re: That and Which--is it worth it?

["Sandy, Corinne" <CHS8 -at- CPSOD1 -dot- EM -dot- CDC -dot- GOV>]

that or which?

I have limited my use of "which" in my writing.  I believe it is misused.
 In the dictionary "that" is defined as "being the one indicated or implied.
(and it is an adjective--limits or qualifies a noun) "   "Which"  is
defined:  "What particular one or ones:  Which is your house? or The
particular one or ones:  Take those which are yours.  or The thing, animal,
group of people or event previously named or implied:  the movie which was
shown later.  (this is a pronoun-used as a substitute for a noun).

I read your examples a couple of times, and it became apparent that "that"
sounded and fit much better than which.     It is very subtle but the
software is the object being indicated.  There is no question that you are
speaking about it.   The second sentence sounds as if you need another
clause at the end,  almost as if it's incomplete.  It is a very subtle
difference, and obviously, I am having trouble explaining it.  I hope this
adds to your insight.

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Subject: That and Which--is it worth it?
Date: Thursday, December 15, 1994 10:08AM

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From: Gail DeCamp <decampg -at- SMTPLINK -dot- NGC -dot- COM>
Subject:      That and Which--is it worth it?
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     I have a that/which question. I've had reputable sources tell me that
     there are distinct rules for using "that" and "which"....namely, that
     one is restrictive and the other is not. Here are the rules:

     Restrictive: We purchased the software that provided all the necessary
     features.  (This sentence suggests that only one kind of software had
     them all.)

     Non-restrictive: We purchased the software, which provided all the
     necessary features. (This sentence suggests that there are lots of
     kinds of software that could provide the features.)

     Does anyone else out there follow this rule? It seems pretty subtle to
     me. (If it changed the meaning of a sentence, I might worry about it,
     but otherwise I would not.)

     Gail DeCamp
     Network General Corporation

     (these are MY opinions! Mine, all mine!)