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that or which

English translation: Probably \"which\", but it depends

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
English term or phrase:that or which
Selected answer:Probably \"which\", but it depends
Entered by: lumierre

15:34 Dec 18, 2014
English language (monolingual) [Non-PRO]
Automotive / Cars & Trucks
English term or phrase: that or which
...two shaft ends of the ddrive shaft that/which is, at least partially, arranged...


Please comment between the two options above, which is better or if they have both the same translation value.
Many thanks in advance.
lumierre
Local time: 18:40
Probably "which", but it depends
Explanation:
It depends firstly on whether this is a restrictive or a non-restrictive relative, and secondly on whether we are using British or American English.

If it is a restrictive relative, you use "that" in American English and you can use either "that" or "which" in British English. "That" (or "which") is not preceded by a comma in these cases.

If it is a non-restrictive relative, you use "which" in all varieties of English, and it should be preceded by a comma.

It is a restrictive relative if you are specifying which drive shaft you are talking about: the drive shaft that is at least partially arranged..., as opposed to another drive shaft that isn't (or other drive shafts that aren't).

It is a non-restrictive relative if there is just one drive shaft (or at least just one that we are interested in) and you are giving us some information about it: telling us that the drive shaft is at least partially arranged...

There may be more than one drive shaft and your sentence may be specifying which one we are talking about. In that case, "that" will always be correct. British English would also accept "which" in this case.

But I think it's more likely that there is just one drive shaft involved and that the relative here is non-restrictive. If that is so, it must be "which", and as I say, there should be a comma before it:

"...two shaft ends of the drive shaft, which is, at least partially, arranged..."
Selected response from:

Charles Davis
Spain
Local time: 18:40
Grading comment
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
4 +3Probably "which", but it depends
Charles Davis


  

Answers


17 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +3
Probably "which", but it depends


Explanation:
It depends firstly on whether this is a restrictive or a non-restrictive relative, and secondly on whether we are using British or American English.

If it is a restrictive relative, you use "that" in American English and you can use either "that" or "which" in British English. "That" (or "which") is not preceded by a comma in these cases.

If it is a non-restrictive relative, you use "which" in all varieties of English, and it should be preceded by a comma.

It is a restrictive relative if you are specifying which drive shaft you are talking about: the drive shaft that is at least partially arranged..., as opposed to another drive shaft that isn't (or other drive shafts that aren't).

It is a non-restrictive relative if there is just one drive shaft (or at least just one that we are interested in) and you are giving us some information about it: telling us that the drive shaft is at least partially arranged...

There may be more than one drive shaft and your sentence may be specifying which one we are talking about. In that case, "that" will always be correct. British English would also accept "which" in this case.

But I think it's more likely that there is just one drive shaft involved and that the relative here is non-restrictive. If that is so, it must be "which", and as I say, there should be a comma before it:

"...two shaft ends of the drive shaft, which is, at least partially, arranged..."

Charles Davis
Spain
Local time: 18:40
Meets criteria
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 12

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  B D Finch: Sorry, misread your answer and thought you'd said "that" could be used for a non-restrictive clause.
2 hrs
  -> Quite understandable! I find I have to re-read what I've said on this to make sure I've got it the right way round. Thanks, by the way :)
agree  Victoria Britten: Precise and exhaustive as ever!
5 hrs
  -> Thanks, Victoria!
agree  acetran
2 days 1 hr
  -> Thanks, acetran :)
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