How to Use That vs. Which Correctly

Khan Academy

This educational video clarifies the often-confusing grammatical distinction between the relative pronouns "that" and "which." It begins by framing the discussion within the broader linguistic debate between prescriptivists, who value strict adherence to rules, and descriptivists, who observe how language is actually used. The narrator positions himself in the middle, offering a practical synthesis to help writers make the right choice. The video explores two primary distinctions to guide usage. First, it demonstrates how "that" functions with restrictive clauses and explains why it should generally not be used with commas (non-restrictive clauses), using clear sentence examples about a carrot. Second, it uses a memorable mnemonic involving a cranky "witch" to explain why "which" should not be used when referring to people. The content covers restrictive vs. non-restrictive clauses, comma usage, and pronoun-antecedent agreement. For educators, this video provides an accessible tool for teaching complex grammar mechanics without getting bogged down in overly technical jargon. It is excellent for middle and high school English classes, particularly during writing workshops or editing phases. The visual examples and humorous mnemonics make abstract grammatical rules concrete and easier for students to retain and apply in their own writing.