Sentence formation: which or that

[Srikanth Dhondi]

Sentence 1:
In most of these experiments we encounter situations which fall in the above described regime, that is the size of the liquid reservoir is finite compared to the channel/tube dimensions.

Sentence 2:

In most of these experiments we encounter situations that fall in the above described regime, that is the size of the liquid reservoir is finite compared to the channel/tube dimensions.

Which is right?

Thanks!

[batmura]

I don't think there's a huge difference in meaning between the two sentences.

[5jj]

In a defining relative clause such as those in your two examples, 'that' and 'which' are both acceptable. There is no difference in meaning.

[Tdol]

Non-defining?

[5jj]

In post #3 I originally wrote 'a non-defining clause'. Sorry. That was a careless slip that I have now corrected,

[JohnParis]

Dear Srikanth Dhondi,
There is no difference in meaning between which and that. However, I would like to draw attention to the misuse of "compared to" and "compared with ".

Compare:

A is compared with B when you draw attention to difference.
...that is, the size of the liquid reservoir is finite compared with the channel/tube dimensions.

A is compared to B only when you want to stress similarity.
Shall I compare the to a summer’s day?
Your heart can be compared to a pump.

The Economist Style Guide (10th edition)

John

[5jj]

Burchfield's 1996 edition of Fowler's Modern English Usage gives even more distinctions than the Economist Style Guide. I think it's probably true to say that most speakers of BrE use to and with interchangeably.