The relative pronoun "that" is used with an essential clause and the relative pronoun "which" is used with a nonessential clause. In three to five sentences, explain when to use each pronoun and the difference between the two relative clauses.
To determine when to use the relative pronouns "that" and "which," you need to understand the distinction between essential and nonessential clauses.
1. "That" is used with essential clauses, also known as restrictive clauses. These clauses provide essential information that is necessary to understand the sentence's meaning. For example, "The book that I bought is on the table." Removing the essential clause "that I bought" would change the meaning of the sentence.
2. "Which" is used with nonessential clauses, also known as nonrestrictive clauses. These clauses provide additional information that is not crucial to understanding the sentence's meaning. For example, "My car, which is red, is parked outside." The nonessential clause "which is red" adds additional information about the car but can be removed without affecting the sentence's main message.
The key difference between essential and nonessential clauses is that an essential clause is necessary for the sentence's meaning, while a nonessential clause provides additional information but can be removed without changing the core message.