The difference between That and Which

When used as determiners, that means the (thing, person, idea, etc) indicated or understood from context, especially if more remote physically, temporally or mentally than one designated as "", or if expressing distinction, whereas which means what, of those mentioned or implied.

When used as nouns, that means something being indicated that is there, whereas which means an occurrence of the word which.

When used as pronouns, that means the thing, person, idea, quality, event, action or time indicated or understood from context, especially if more remote geographically, temporally or mentally than one designated as "", or if expressing distinction, whereas which means what one or ones (of those mentioned or implied).


That is also adverb with the meaning: to a given extent or degree.

check bellow for the other definitions of That and Which

  1. That as a pronoun (demonstrative):

    The thing, person, idea, quality, event, action or time indicated or understood from context, especially if more remote geographically, temporally or mentally than one designated as "", or if expressing distinction.

    Examples:

    "He went home, and after that I never saw him again."

  2. That as a pronoun:

    The known (thing); .

    Examples:

    "They're getting divorced. What do you think about ''that''?"

  3. That as a pronoun (demonstrative):

    The aforementioned quality; .

    Examples:

    "The water is so cold! — That it is."

  4. That as a pronoun (relative):

    (plural that) Which, who; .

    Examples:

    "The CPR course that she took really came in handy."

    "The house that he lived in was old and dilapidated."

  5. That as a pronoun (colloquial):

    Examples:

    "the place that [= where or to which] I went last year"

    "the last time that [= when] I went to Europe"

  1. That as an adverb (degree):

    To a given extent or degree.

    Examples:

    "The ribbon was that thin." "I disagree, I say it was not that thin, it was thicker... or maybe thinner..."

  2. That as an adverb (degree):

    To a great extent or degree; very, particularly .

    Examples:

    "I'm just not that sick."

    "I did the run last year, and it wasn't that difficult."

    "synonyms: so"

  3. That as an adverb (obsolete, outside, dialects):

    To such an extent; so. .

    Examples:

    "Ooh, I was that happy I nearly kissed her."

  1. That as a noun (philosophy):

    Something being indicated that is there; one of those.

  1. Which as a pronoun (interrogative):

    What one or ones (of those mentioned or implied).

    Examples:

    "'Which is bigger?; Which is which?"

  2. Which as a pronoun (relative):

    Who; whom; what (of those mentioned or implied).

    Examples:

    "He walked by a door with a sign, which read: PRIVATE OFFICE."

    "We've met some problems which are very difficult to handle."

    "He had to leave, which was very difficult."

    "No art can be properly understood apart from the culture of which it is a part."

  3. Which as a pronoun (relative, archaic):

    Used of people (now generally , or ).

  1. Which as a noun:

    An occurrence of the word which.

Compare words: