Re: A language issue (comment)

[Mike Smith <mike@COMET.UCAR.EDU>]

Leigh asked:

> I wrote, inter alia:
>
> > ... the diver took off with the same angular momentum which she
> > exhibited in her tightest tuck.
>
> I have an annoying grammatical problem. I frequently misuse "which"
> and "that". This is a particularly confusing case. Of course what I
> should have said is that "The diver took off with the same angular
> momentum that she exhibited in her tightest tuck." Alternatively I
> could have left the questionable word out of the sentence with no
> loss of meaning: "The diver took off with the same angular momentum
> she exhibited in her tightest tuck." Perhaps that is even better; I
> don't know. I considered and rejected inserting the word "exactly"
> before "the same", though I might well use it when teaching. I knew
> it would not be prudent to use it here.
>
> I think I'm too old to understand the nuances here, but as I
> originally wrote the clause, it was jarring to reread. That "which"
> just doesn't seem to belong, and it is distracting, to me at least.
> I tried to read Fowler's on this issue but it is too difficult for
> me to follow. I do get the idea that the issue is confused, and
> that hard rules are difficult to formulate in this case.
>
> It is certainly important that we be sensitive to language in our
> teaching. I am curious about others' opinions on the clarity of the
> particular clause under scrutiny here, but I do not wish to ignite
> a firestorm of grammarian-antigrammarian rage.


Leigh, et al.,

We frequently encounter this same in our meteorological content, so I take
the liberty of reproducing the part of our in-house Style Guide *that*
addresses the issue.  ; )

"That" is used to introduce a restrictive clause (a group of words that is
essential to the meaning of the sentence). "Which" is used to introduce a
nonrestrictive clause (a group of words that provides additional
information, which is often descriptive, but if removed from the sentence
does not alter the meaning of the sentence). The rule of thumb is that when
a comma can be inserted, the word is "which." (Can you find the examples in
the first and second sentences of this paragraph?)

Examples:

A module that actively involves the user is more likely to leave a lasting
impression, and with that impression, lasting knowledge.

The clause is restrictive (essential to the sentence); use "that" and don't
include a comma after "module." We aren't talking about just any module;
only modules that actively involve the user will leave impressions.

Icing hazards can also develop in orographic clouds, which tend to develop
along mountaintops and ridges.

The clause is nonrestrictive; use "which" and include a comma before the
clause, which is supplying supplemental information, not information
fundamental to the meaning of the main sentence. The main sentence tells
where icing hazards can develop. The fact that orographic clouds tend to
develop along mountaintops and ridges is supplemental information.

Another example:

A number of successful applications that use the rain rate product are being
demonstrated by various operational agencies.

Again, use "that" because the clause is restrictive and essential to the
sentence. The type of applications being demonstrated are ones that use the
rain rate product.



Best wishes,

Mike


========================================
Mike Smith
Cooperative Program for Operational Meteorology, Education and Training
(COMET)
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR)
Box 3000
Boulder CO 80307-3000
e-mail: mike@comet.ucar.edu
phone: 303/497-8346
fax: 303/497-8491
========================================