Megan Messina WRA370 Comparative Research Paper: Grammar and Style Rules Many grammarians disagree on the rules for using the relative pronouns that and which. Nevertheless, the general rule is to use that before a restrictive clause and which before a non-­‐restrictive clause. This rule has become less strict in recent years, and many grammarians believe that in many sentences it is a matter of personal choice. However, to gain a complete understanding of the general grammar rule, a variety of sources such as blog posts, trusted grammar sites, and usage guides Danielle Wightman 11/6/12 9:56 PM
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should be referenced. Danielle Wightman 11/4/12 10:05 PM
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Usage guides, the most widely used is often believed to be the Chicago Manual of Style, are often followed very strictly by many organizations; so, to best understand this rule, a style guide should be referenced. The Chicago Manual of Style’s section on “Word Usage” is particularly useful for inquiries about proper Danielle Wightman 11/6/12 9:57 PM
Comment: Somewhat confusing, consider revising. Danielle Wightman 11/4/12 10:07 PM
Deleted: section word practice. Chicago seems to agree with the general rule for that versus which. However, it also adds to the general rule, saying, “Which should be used restrictively only when it is preceded by a preposition.” For instance, they reference the clause, “the situation in which we find ourselves” (598). Furthermore, it would sound rather odd to say, “The situation in that we find ourselves.” Chicago refines the distinction further by stating that which, in all cases except when preceded by a preposition, is usually set off from the rest of the text by a parenthesis, a dash, or a comma. However, it is important to keep in mind that these rules are generally followed in “polished American prose,” meaning that there are many instances Danielle Wightman 11/6/12 9:58 PM
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where it is not necessary to follow the rules set by Chicago, something the authors themselves acknowledge. These instances would be those where strict grammar rules are not necessarily required, such as personal pieces, blog posts, etc. However, it is also important to keep in mind that, “in British English, writers and editors seldom observe the distinction between the two words” (298). This reminds editors that it is imperative to understand if your author is following American English, Danielle Wightman 11/6/12 10:01 PM
Comment: Consider changing to “their” British English, or informal American English; the rules of grammar for each often Danielle Wightman 11/5/12 9:31 AM
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vary greatly. It is also important to research blog posts from trusted sources to understand how professionals interpret grammar rules set by style guides. For instance, the blog post “That Versus Which,” by Tyler Krupa covers his interpretation of APA Style rules on APA Style’s blog site. The APA Publication Manual follows similar rules as Chicago. Krupa explains the rule in simple terms, “APA prefers for writers to use the term that for clauses that are essential to the meaning of the sentence… The term which should be used for clauses that merely add further information to the sentence that is not essential to its meaning.” This is similar to the rules in Chicago, yet because it is written in a less formal blog post, it is written in a less formal style. Blog posts add another element that is not available when only referencing a style guide: comments. By simply perusing the comments section of the post, it becomes quite evident just how debated the proper usage of that and which is. For instance, self-­‐described linguist, Paul Barthmaier, comments, “In spoken language intonation will add information to indicate whether a clause is restrictive or non-­‐restrictive… in written language, that intonation information is Danielle Wightman 11/6/12 10:10 PM
Comment: His interpretation on what the APA Style site covers, or is he putting it on the APA’s blog site? Consider re-­‐wording. Possibly, …his interpretation of APA Style rules from the APA Style’s blog site. (?) Is Krupa a writer for the APA Publication Manual? encoded in the punctuation.” By this, Barthmaier simply means that the comma that usually precedes which is often read as a pause in speech and would indicate that Danielle Wightman 11/5/12 9:49 AM
Comment: Consider revising to proceeds what follows is a non-­‐restrictive clause. Even though this should be taken as an Danielle Wightman 11/5/12 9:42 AM
Deleted: that opinion, it demonstrates the debate that the usage of these terms has incited. Danielle Wightman 11/5/12 9:43 AM
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Lastly, Grammar Girl, a generally trusted source; written by former magazine and technical writer, Mignon Fogarty, gives an in-­‐depth explanation that specifically targets an audience who is confused by specific grammar rules. Fogarty explains the Danielle Wightman 11/5/12 9:40 AM
Deleted: same general rule as the other sources—use that for restrictive clauses and which for non-­‐restrictive clauses. However, because the site’s targeted audience is presumed to be visiting because a rule is unclear to them, she includes many Danielle Wightman 11/6/12 10:14 PM
Deleted: a lot examples of both words in restrictive and non-­‐restrictive clauses. Grammar Girl also Danielle Wightman 11/6/12 10:14 PM
Deleted: of explains the debate about this rule while also explaining the proper usage. She Danielle Wightman 11/5/12 9:46 AM
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explains an exception to the general restrictive versus non-­‐restrictive rule that is Danielle Wightman 11/5/12 9:40 AM
Deleted: similar to what was explained in Chicago; in proper usage, that is only used for restrictive clauses, while which can be used for both restrictive and non-­‐restrictive clauses. However, because she explains that many grammar authorities explain that the general rule, and not the proper usage exception, is widely accepted, this site is unique from our other sites of reference. Grammar Girl does much of the research on grammar usage inquiries that editors would need to do before understanding the proper usage clearly. So, except in cases when a particular usage guide should be strictly followed, this site is one of the most useful sources for gaining a general understanding of grammar questions rather quickly. Danielle Wightman 11/6/12 10:16 PM
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Although there are a few exceptions, the general rule is to use that for restrictive clauses and which for non-­‐restrictive clauses. However, for many grammar rules it is important to understand the context of the language, for instance, whether it is written in American English, British English, or informal American usage. Many sources explain specific grammar rules in different ways and with slightly different usages; it is important to understand which sources are best referenced in various instances. Usage guides tend to explain their specific usage preference and can even be quite strict. Blog posts give a unique perspective as it describes a professional’s interpretation of grammar rules. Lastly, Grammar Girl gives a quick and general understanding of grammar rules, and is written for an audience that is searching for an understanding of particular grammar rules. Grammar Girl succinctly explains the which versus that conundrum, “If you think of the Wicked Witch (Which) of the West from The Wizard of Oz, you know it’s okay to throw her out.” Danielle Wightman 11/4/12 10:17 PM
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Resources The Chicago Manual of Style. 16th ed. Chicago: University of Chicago, 2010. Print. Danielle Wightman 11/5/12 9:49 AM
Comment: Make sure to alphabetize your resources. Danielle Wightman 11/4/12 10:18 PM
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Fogarty, Mignon. ""Which" Versus "That"" Grammar Girl. Quick and Dirty Tips, 30 Oct. 2009. Web. 20 Oct. 2012. <http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/which-­‐versus-­‐that-­‐
advanced.aspx>. Krupa, Tyler. "APA Style Blog: That Versus Which." APA Style Blog: That Versus Which. American Psychological Association, 19 Jan. 2012. Web. 20 Oct. 2012. <http://blog.apastyle.org/apastyle/2012/01/that-­‐versus-­‐which.html>. Danielle Wightman 11/4/12 10:18 PM
Deleted: Fogarty, Mignon. ""Which" Versus "That"" Grammar Girl. Quick and Dirty Tips, 30 Oct. 2009. Web. 20 Oct. 2012. <http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/
which-­‐versus-­‐that-­‐advanced.aspx>.