Which ou That (Relative Pronouns): Quando utilizar

''Hoje vamos falar sobre relative clauses, que são usadas para adicionar informações sobre alguma pessoa, lugar ou coisa. Elas são formadas por pronome relativo, who para pessoas, which para coisas e where para lugares. Também podemos usar that no lugar de who ou which.''

'That' rather than 'which'

After quantifiers like everything, something, all and after the thing… we normally use 'that' rather than 'which':

Everything that is in this room once belonged to Elton John.

The thing that amazes me is how wide his interests were.

All that will be left after the auction are a few candlestick holders.

'which' but not 'that'

Where the relative pronoun refers to the whole of the previous clause, and not just to the noun that precedes it, that cannot be used. In these instances, we have to use which:

''The explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes ran in seven marathons in five different continents recently which is amazing for a man of 59 who had a heart attack six months ago.''

'Which' but not 'that' in non-identifying relative clauses

In non-identifying relative clauses, which usually serve to provide additional, non-essential information and are separated by commas, which is the relative pronoun that is normally used. 'That' would be unusual.

Compare the following pairs of identifying and non-identifying relative clauses:

''Have you got any pieces for the guitar that are easy to play?''

''I lent him The Rain in Spain and Japanese Folk Song, which are easy to play.''

''The last symphony (that) he composed was the ninth symphony.''

''The ninth symphony, which was composed in the final year of his life, was not performed until after this death.''