How do you tell that from which?

Mondo Gastronomy Updated on 2024-01-28

When the words "that" and "which" are mentioned, although they are both used to refer to things or people, they have a distinct distinction in Chinese.

First, let's understand the usage of "that" first. This word is often used to refer to a known, specific thing or person. For example:

1."I saw the little boy crying. ”

2."I'm going to buy that red apple. ”

3."He's wearing that blue shirt. ”

In the example sentence above, "that" refers to a specific object, usually a thing or person that has already been mentioned or understood.

On the contrary, "which" is used to refer to an unspecific, undetermined thing or person. For example:

1."Which one are you going to buy?".”

2."I don't know which is the right answer. ”

3."I don't know where to eat it. ”

In these example sentences, "which" refers to an object where there are multiple choices or indeterminates.

Specifically, the main points that distinguish "that" and "which" are as follows:

1.Refers to the certainty of the object:"That" refers to a known, specific object;And "which" refers to an indeterminate, unspecified object.

2.Syntactic Functions:"That" and "which" may play similar roles in a sentence, but "that" often specifies a specific object, while "which" is more used in cases of choice or uncertainty.

3.Tone:The tone of "that" is usually affirmative, and the expressor may have some knowledge or confirmation of the referent;Whereas, the tone of "which" is more questioning and is often used to ask questions or express uncertain situations.

These distinctions help to use "that" and "which" more accurately, making the expression clearer and clearer. By mastering their differences, we can better adapt to different contexts and communication needs, and improve the accuracy and clarity of language expression.

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