which vs that

java-programmer, which vs that I am writing documentation, and I dawned on me that I don't know the
difference between "which" and "that". I have a vague intuition which
to use, but there is no logic behind it.

In fact I don't think I could define the difference between
what, which and that.

I suspect "which" has to do with picking one from a small set, where
"that" provides an algorithm for inclusion.
--
Canadian Mind Products, Roedy Green.
http://mindprod.com Java custom programming, consulting and coaching.

java-programmer >> which vs that Roedy Green wrote:
> I am writing documentation, and I dawned on me that I don't know the
> difference between "which" and "that". I have a vague intuition which
> to use, but there is no logic behind it.
> In fact I don't think I could define the difference between
> what, which and that.
> I suspect "which" has to do with picking one from a small set, where
> "that" provides an algorithm for inclusion.

http://newark.rutgers.edu/~jlynch/Writing/t.html#that

--
Ben Caradoc-Davies <email***@***.com>
http://wintersun.org/
"Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves."
- Abraham Lincoln

java-programmer >> which vs that Roedy Green <email***@***.com> writes:
>In fact I don't think I could define the difference between
>what, which and that.

(Unless you are not referring to a special new language for
the JVM, you might refer to English. This might not be the
best newsgroup for this topic.)

What I as a non-native speaker remember about this is:

"which" is used for non-restrictive clauses, which are
preceded by a comma, "that" is used for restrictive
clauses and is not preceded by a comma.

"that" might be omitted: "The book [that ]I bought today.",
but the NASA style guide for technical writing recommends
not to drop it in technical documents.

java-programmer >> which vs that In article <email***@***.com>, Roedy Green
took the hamburger, threw it on the grill, and I said "Oh wow"...

> I am writing documentation, and I dawned on me that I don't know the
> difference between "which" and "that". I have a vague intuition which
> to use, but there is no logic behind it.
>
> In fact I don't think I could define the difference between
> what, which and that.

That thing you were posting about which implies that you're not sure
about which usage to go for.

HTH.

>
> I suspect "which" has to do with picking one from a small set, where
> "that" provides an algorithm for inclusion.
>

--
L. Beaux Al-Catraz III
mhm31x9 Smeeter#29 WSD#30
sTaRShInE_mOOnBeAm aT HoTmAil dOt CoM

NP: "Jellyroll" -- Blue Murder

"Now, technology's getting better all the time and that's fine,
but most of the time all you need is a stick of gum,
a pocketknife, and a smile."

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