That. Which[usage-that-which]

That、Which。That是限定性的,即限制性代词;which是非限定性的,即非限制性代词。(参见规则3。)

  • 误:The lawn mower that is broken is in the garage.(说明是哪一台。)
  • 正:The lawn mower, which is broken, is in the garage.(就所讨论的唯一一台割草机补充一个事实。)

用of which代替that,在书面语和口语中都很常见("Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass.")。有时which似乎比that更可取,如上面出自《圣经》的句子。但若这两个代词都能用得精确,对所有人都是一种便利。细心的作者,留意小小的便利,会去"猎捕which",删掉限定性的which,从而改进自己的作品。