[Vocabulary] that which / that / the one / the one which

[nyggus]

Hi,

Below are four versions of the same sentence. I believe their meanings* are the same, but is any of them better than the others? Or maybe it's just one of these situations when it's impossible to point our which is better or worse: it's just a matter of style, with all versions being correct and possible?

1. This approach is different from that which we are discussing.
2. This approach is different from that we are discussing.
3. This approach is different from the one we are discussing.
4. This approach is different from the one which we are discussing.

Thanks,
nyggus

* Sorry, another question: Should I have written "I believe their meaning is the same"?

 

[teechar]

For me, #3 is the clear winner. Consider using "that" instead of "this" in that sentence.

"Meanings" is okay.

 

[nyggus]

Consider using "that" instead of "this" in that sentence.

Thanks, Teechar. Could you please explain why that would be better than this? In fact, I've often wondered which is better, especially because some people seem to prefer this while others that. Does it depend on a context? One more thing is that I don't like using that too often because this word is used with various meanings, and my texts are usually full of that's.

 

[Roman55]

My answer to that question would be that if you are comparing two approaches, the one you are discussing would be called 'this' and the other one would be 'that'.


Also, 2. doesn't work for me at all.

 

[teechar]

Thanks, Teechar. Could you please explain why that would be better than this?

this = the (approach) you are discussing (here/now).
that = the other approach.