AE vs. BE

[Anonymous]

Hi all,

Could you please explain the usage of 'which' both in AE and BE because I've seen that there's a difference between BE and AE.

Many thanks.

 

[MikeNewYork]

Hi all,

Could you please explain the usage of 'which' both in AE and BE because I've seen that there's a difference between BE and AE.

Many thanks.

I assume you are talking about "which" and "that" in relative clauses.

In AE, we almost always use "that" in restrictive (defining) relative clauses and "which" in non-restrictive (non-defining) relative clauses. In BE, "that" is used only for restrictive relative clauses, but "which" is used in both.

In both forms, only "which" is used when a relative clause is introduced by a preposition, whether or not the clause is restrictive.

Does that answer your question? :wink:

 

[MikeNewYork]

Hi all,

Could you please explain the usage of 'which' both in AE and BE because I've seen that there's a difference between BE and AE.

Many thanks.

Examples: (restrictive)

AE: The last art book that I bought was very expensive.
BE: The last art book that I bought was very expensive.
BE: The last art book which I bought was very expensive.

Examples: (non-restrictive)

AE: New York City, which is home to the United Nations, is the largest city in America.

BE: New York City, which is home to the United Nations, is the largest city in America.

Examples: (prepositional)

BE/AE: The house for which we made a bid is on Elm Street.