Grammatical Guidelines, Part 5: That or Which?

Another grammatical grappler is the use of that vs. which. Here’s a final recent e-mail:


Dear Phil,

When should one use that as opposed to which in a sentence?

Thanks,
Penny



Dear Penny,

Often, it doesn’t matter. For instance, the first two sentences below are correct; however, the third sentence, which has neither that nor which, is preferable:

1. The project which is mine has a $15,000 budget.
2. The project that is mine has a $15,000 budget.
3. My project has a $15,000 budget.

Sometimes, we use the pronoun that restrictively (i.e., to clarify the noun to which it refers), and the pronoun which non-restrictively (i.e., when distinguishing the noun from other nouns). In the examples below, suppose our group has three laptops:

1. Our laptops, which are broken, should be replaced. (In this case, all three laptops are broken.)
2. Our laptops that are broken should be replaced. (In this case, only two laptops are broken.)

If this answer confuses you, remember that English isn’t so easy—its proper usage demands a lot of thinking!

Regards,
Phil


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Grammatical Guidelines, Part 4: All about It

Here’s another discussion about the ambiguity of that as a referent.



Hello Phil,

Is there a grammatical rule stating that a pronoun has to refer to the noun closest to it?

Bessie



Thanks for writing, Bessie.

Consider it a helpful guideline, not a rule. Common sense, not strict rules, comes into play when deciding to whom or what a pronoun refers. The examples below show how context drives the reference.

1. In this example, the reference is clearly the noun farther from the pronoun (book, not desk): I own the book on the desk, so I have a right to sell it.

2. In this example, the reference is clearly the noun closer to the pronoun (desk, not book): Your book should not be on my desk because it is mine.

3. In this example, both pronouns clearly refer to their antecedents: I’ll put the book on the desk because it matches its color. (Of course, “because their color matches” is preferable.)

4. In this example, the pronoun is ambiguous: The book should not be on the desk because I need to move it.

5. In this example, the pronoun is also ambiguous: I don’t like the book or the desk, so I think I’ll sell it.

Bottom line: A pronoun should refer clearly to one unmistakable noun that precedes the pronoun.

Adios,
Phil


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Grammatical Guidelines, Part 3: All about That

Never ending are those questions about the unclear use of the pronoun that. Here is one:

Greetings Phil,

In the sentence below, does that relate to order or to complaints?

We have tabulated staff complaints concerning the CEO’s order that unrestricted access be given to construction contractors in January.

Best,
George



Nice hearing from you, George.

The reader should be clear about that referring to the CEO’s order, not the staff complaints, because of the proximity of that to order. In this case, however, what difference would it make? Couldn’t staff complaints be about the order as well as the unrestricted access and still make the intended point? If you’d prefer, you can eliminate the entire problem by getting around that:

We have tabulated staff complaints concerning unrestricted access to construction contractors in January.

The best thing about the revised sentence is the word-count reduction from 19 to 13 words.

Take care,
Phil


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Grammatical Guidelines, Part 2: Making Nouns Parallel

Here’s another parallel structure issue from a client, this time with nouns:



Phil,

Is there any problem with this sentence?

The executive vice-president concluded that going to the weekly team meeting, the monthly payroll audit, and the use of PeopleSoft will help track salary issues.

Thanks,
Billy



Hi Billy,

To achieve greater clarity and fluency, edit the sentence by making parallel noun phrases:

The executive vice-president concluded that attending the weekly team meeting, auditing the payroll monthly, and using PeopleSoft will help track salary issues.

Keep writing!
Phil



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Grammatical Guidelines, Part 1: Making Verbs Parallel

I’ve been getting a lot grammar questions lately, so I’ll close the year with my responses to recent client questions. Here is the first in the series:



Hello Phil,

Which of these two sentences do you prefer?

Mr. Dennis Emory, Executive Vice-president, noted that there were 17 nursing vacancies in prenatal care because 9 of them went to field placements, 5 of them were promoted, 2 of them left for the ICU and 1 left for the Burn Unit.

or

Mr. Dennis Emory, Executive Vice-president, noted that there were 17 nursing vacancies in prenatal care because 9 went to field placements, 5 were promoted, 2 left for the ICU and 1 left for the Burn Unit.

Thanks,
Mahalia



I’m sure that Mahalia and someone else at the office were engaging in a heated battle over who had the superior style. While the second one is better because of its conciseness, it still needs more parallel form among its verbs. My response:



Dear Mahalia,

Both sentences are unclear and awkward because their verbs lack parallel structure. Here is an improvement:

Mr. Dennis Emory, Executive Vice-president, noted 17 nursing vacancies because 9 staff went to field placements, 5 received promotions, 2 transferred to the ICU, and 1 left for the Burn Unit.

Good luck!
Phil


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