The relative pronoun that is used with an essential clause, and the relative pronoun which is used with a nonessential clause. In 3-5 sentences, explain how hen to use each pronoun and the difference between the two types of relative clauses.

Answer 1

Relative pronouns "that" and "which" serve different purposes in sentences, particularly in distinguishing between essential and nonessential clauses. An essential clause (or restrictive clause) provides information crucial to the meaning of the sentence, and it is not set off by commas. For example, "The book that you lent me was fascinating" illustrates this, as the clause identifies which book is being referenced. Conversely, a nonessential clause (or nonrestrictive clause) adds extra information but can be removed without changing the sentence's core meaning, and it is typically set off by commas. For instance, "The book, which you lent me, was fascinating" implies that the listener already knows which book is being discussed, making the additional detail nonessential.