Difference Between That and Which Usage: Easy Guide with 100 Examples

Confused about the difference between That and Which usage? This guide simplifies the rules with clear explanations, 100 real-life examples, useful tips for exams, and FAQs to help you master this common grammar question.

Introduction to Difference Between That and Which Usage

Understanding the difference between That and Which usage is important in English grammar. Both words connect clauses, but they are used differently in defining and non-defining clauses. This article explains the rules with 100 examples, tips for competitive exams, and answers to common questions.

Key Rules of Difference Between That and Which Usage

1. That is used in defining (restrictive) clauses – it gives essential information.
   Example: The book that is on the table belongs to me.
2. Which is used in non-defining (non-restrictive) clauses – it adds extra information, usually separated by commas.
   Example: The book, which is on the table, belongs to me.
3. That is not preceded by a comma, but Which is usually preceded by a comma.
4. That is more common in American English, while Which is often seen in British English.

100 Examples of Difference Between That and Which Usage

Examples with “That” (Defining Clauses – Essential Information)

1. The book that is on the desk belongs to me.
2. The car that I bought last year is still running well.
3. The teacher that taught us English has retired.
4. The phone that was stolen has been found.
5. The laptop that crashed yesterday is repaired now.
6. The student that answered correctly got the prize.
7. The shoes that she wore were expensive.
8. The train that left early reached on time.
9. The doctor that treated me is very skilled.
10. The team that won the match celebrated all night.
11. The shop that sells clothes is closed today.
12. The girl that helped me was very kind.
13. The bus that goes to the city is full.
14. The plan that we made has succeeded.
15. The dog that barked all night is tired now.
16. The exam that we took was difficult.
17. The friend that I trust lives nearby.
18. The movie that we watched was very long.
19. The pen that you gave me is blue.
20. The building that collapsed was very old.
21. The flowers that you brought are beautiful.
22. The boy that sings well is my cousin.
23. The country that won the cup is Brazil.
24. The woman that works here is my aunt.
25. The restaurant that serves Italian food is busy.
26. The dress that she bought is lovely.
27. The food that we ate was delicious.
28. The story that he told was interesting.
29. The picture that hangs on the wall is famous.
30. The bus that arrived late caused a problem.
31. The man that spoke to me is my neighbor.
32. The game that we played was exciting.
33. The river that flows here is deep.
34. The project that we started is almost done.
35. The bird that sang outside is gone now.
36. The exam that students fear is tomorrow.
37. The house that we rented is spacious.
38. The subject that interests me is English.
39. The laptop that costs less is better.
40. The car that broke down is being fixed.
41. The pen that writes smoothly is mine.
42. The mobile that I use is fast.
43. The idea that you shared is brilliant.
44. The teacher that helps us is friendly.
45. The officer that solved the case is smart.
46. The chair that is broken needs repair.
47. The train that comes late is crowded.
48. The fruit that I like most is mango.
49. The boy that plays cricket is tall.
50. The place that we visited was beautiful.

Examples with “Which” (Non-Defining Clauses – Extra Information)

51. The book, which is on the desk, belongs to me.
52. The car, which I bought last year, is still running well.
53. The teacher, which taught us English, has retired.
54. The phone, which was stolen, has been found.
55. The laptop, which crashed yesterday, is repaired now.
56. The student, which answered correctly, got the prize.
57. The shoes, which she wore, were expensive.
58. The train, which left early, reached on time.
59. The doctor, which treated me, is very skilled.
60. The team, which won the match, celebrated all night.
61. The shop, which sells clothes, is closed today.
62. The girl, which helped me, was very kind.
63. The bus, which goes to the city, is full.
64. The plan, which we made, has succeeded.
65. The dog, which barked all night, is tired now.
66. The exam, which we took, was difficult.
67. The friend, which I trust, lives nearby.
68. The movie, which we watched, was very long.
69. The pen, which you gave me, is blue.
70. The building, which collapsed, was very old.
71. The flowers, which you brought, are beautiful.
72. The boy, which sings well, is my cousin.
73. The country, which won the cup, is Brazil.
74. The woman, which works here, is my aunt.
75. The restaurant, which serves Italian food, is busy.
76. The dress, which she bought, is lovely.
77. The food, which we ate, was delicious.
78. The story, which he told, was interesting.
79. The picture, which hangs on the wall, is famous.
80. The bus, which arrived late, caused a problem.
81. The man, which spoke to me, is my neighbor.
82. The game, which we played, was exciting.
83. The river, which flows here, is deep.
84. The project, which we started, is almost done.
85. The bird, which sang outside, is gone now.
86. The exam, which students fear, is tomorrow.
87. The house, which we rented, is spacious.
88. The subject, which interests me, is English.
89. The laptop, which costs less, is better.
90. The car, which broke down, is being fixed.
91. The pen, which writes smoothly, is mine.
92. The mobile, which I use, is fast.
93. The idea, which you shared, is brilliant.
94. The teacher, which helps us, is friendly.
95. The officer, which solved the case, is smart.
96. The chair, which is broken, needs repair.
97. The train, which comes late, is crowded.
98. The fruit, which I like most, is mango.
99. The boy, which plays cricket, is tall.
100. The place, which we visited, was beautiful.

Important Tips for Students and Competitive Exams

• Remember: “That” = essential, “Which” = extra information.
• Punctuation: Always use commas with “Which”, never with “That”.
• Exam Tip: In competitive exams (SSC, UPSC, Bank PO, IELTS, TOEFL), questions often test the correct use of “That” vs. “Which”.
• Shortcut: If the clause can be removed without changing meaning, use Which. If not, use That.

FAQs on Difference Between That and Which Usage

Q1. What is the main difference between That and Which usage?
A: That introduces essential clauses, while Which introduces non-essential clauses with commas.

Q2. Can “Which” replace “That”?
A: Not always. Using “Which” instead of “That” can change meaning or make the sentence grammatically incorrect.

Q3. Which is more common in exams – That or Which?
A: Both are tested, but “That” is more common in restrictive clauses, especially in American English exam contexts.

Conclusion on Difference Between That and Which Usage

The difference between That and Which usage is simple once you understand the rules: That = essential information, Which = extra information. With practice and examples, students and exam aspirants can confidently use both in correct contexts.

Disclaimer on Difference Between That and Which Usage

This article is for educational purposes only. English usage rules may vary slightly between American and British English. Students should check the style guide or exam requirement they are preparing for.

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