that or which or both

[simon_peking]

Hi there,

I've got a question here. In the sentence ' It was the Earth that circle the Sun, rather than the other way around.', can I replace the word 'that' with 'which'? I was taught years ago, that when it comes to emphasising something, you can only use 'that'. If it is a person, you use 'who'.

Could someone help me with my question? Thanks.

Simon

[Tdol]

You can, but have another look at the verb.

[Allen165]

Hi there,

I've got a question here. In the sentence ' It was the Earth that circle the Sun, rather than the other way around.', can I replace the word 'that' with 'which'? I was taught years ago, that when it comes to emphasising something, you can only use 'that'. If it is a person, you use 'who'.

Could someone help me with my question? Thanks.

Simon

NOT A TEACHER.

I would go with "that" here, as it's more emphatic than "which." Though some people will tell you that only "that" can be used in your example, "which" wouldn't be wrong.

And change "circle" to "circled."

[simon_peking]

NOT A TEACHER.

I would go with "that" here, as it's more emphatic than "which." Though some people will tell you that only "that" can be used in your example, "which" wouldn't be wrong.

And change "circle" to "circled."

Hi Allen,

Many thanks for your help.

Oops! I forgot the consistence in tense.

Cheers

Simon

[Tdol]

Though some people will tell you that only "that" can be used in your example, "which" wouldn't be wrong.

In BrE, that/who or that/which are fine in a restrictive/defining relative clause- we don't seem to have those people saying that you can only use that.

[simon_peking]

In BrE, that/who or that/which are fine in a restrictive/defining relative clause- we don't seem to have those people saying that you can only use that.

Dear Editor,

Many thanks for your feedback.

Simon

[Allen165]

In BrE, that/who or that/which are fine in a restrictive/defining relative clause- we don't seem to have those people saying that you can only use that.

I think the proscription against using "which" to introduce a restrictive clause is of American origin. William Strunk and E.B. White invented and/or popularized it in The Elements of Style.

[simon_peking]

I think the proscription against using "which" to introduce a restrictive clause is of American origin. William Strunk and E.B. White invented and/or popularized it in The Elements of Style.

Hello Allen,

Your comment on my initial question sounds very convincing. In fact, I was taught American English back in the school days. That probably explains my initial query.

Many thanks for your feedback.

Cheers

Simon