Don’t get worked up about ‘which hunts’

Let’s grab a broomstick and sweep away the confusion over which, that, and who

If you were to craft a sentence using “which” where you should have said “that” or vice versa, the world might not come crashing to a halt. On the other hand, there are times when using any word incorrectly will get in the way of what you’re trying to say—and the question of “which” versus “that” (and even “who”) is no exception.

The which-versus-that debate usually includes some word-nerdy terms. For example, is it a restrictive or nonrestrictive subordinate clause? And that often does more to puzzle than enlighten the mind.

Fortunately, figuring out “which” versus “that” can be easy. Just remember a few witticisms about “whiches,” and you can become a word wizard while keeping the grammar hobgoblins away.

The first thing to remember when deciding between “which” and “that” is you can always get rid of a “which.” In other words, use “which” when you’re writing a phrase that isn’t a necessary part of your overall statement.

For example, look at the following sentence:

“Bring me all the broomsticks, which are in the garage.”