The relative pronoun that is used with an essential clause, and the relative pronoun which is used with a nonessential clause. In 3–5 sentences, explain when to use each pronoun and the difference between the two types of relative clauses. (2
The relative pronoun "that" is used with essential clauses, also known as restrictive clauses, which provide necessary information to identify the noun being referred to. These clauses cannot be removed from the sentence without changing its meaning. For example, "The car that is parked in front of my house is mine." Here, the essential clause "that is parked in front of my house" is necessary to specify which car is being referred to.
On the other hand, the relative pronoun "which" is used with nonessential clauses, also known as nonrestrictive clauses, which provide additional, non-essential information about the noun being referred to. These clauses can be removed from the sentence without changing its core meaning. For example, "My new car, which is blue, is parked in front of my house." Here, the nonessential clause "which is blue" adds extra information about the car, but its removal would not alter the main message of the sentence.
The key difference between the two types of relative clauses is their importance to the sentence's meaning. Essential clauses are necessary to specify or identify the noun being referred to, while nonessential clauses provide additional, non-essential details. It is important to use the appropriate relative pronoun depending on whether the clause is essential or nonessential to maintain clarity and accuracy in your writing.