that/which

[idiotmike]

Dear all,

If I want to say that "This disorder should be treated if the patient's, say BMI, exceeds a certain degree, which will likely increase social costs"

I am just wondering grammatically speaking, should I use "which" or "that" for the cause? and could any one explain to me why?

Thank you

[J&K Tutoring]

"This disorder should be treated if the patient's, say BMI, exceeds a certain degree, which will likely increase social costs"

I am just wondering grammatically speaking, should I use "which" or "that" for the cause? and could any one explain to me why?

IM- Let's deal first with what you are trying to say, because that may have a bearing on the proper sentence construction.

As written, you are saying that the elevated BMI is what will cause the increased social costs. Is that what you mean or are you trying to say that the treatment is what increases the costs?

[idiotmike]

I mean the treatment that is what increases the social cost. But but does it make any difference between elevated BMI/treatment and which/that?

Thank you

[J&K Tutoring]

Okay, so what you are really saying is this: "This disorder should be treated, blah, blah,blah, which will likely increase social costs."

Which is correct, so your construction is technically okay, but the whole sentence is unclear. Better to rearrange it as:

"If the patient's BMI exceeds a certain degree, then this disorder should be treated, which will likely increase social costs"

[idiotmike]

Thank you very much for your answer.

I am just wondering what would happen if I use "that" to replace "which"?

Thank you.

[5jj]

I am just wondering what would happen if I used "that" to replace "which"?

It would sound, and be, incorrect in this sentence.