1

I also got an annual merit scholarship from X University, that covers 30% of the tuition fees.

Is the use of "that" correct in the above? I think we have to use "which" for a non-defining adjective clause. Could you please help me to clarify this?

Source: it was written by a teacher.

Improve this question
7
  • 1
    Source of quote please
    – James K
    Commented May 6, 2018 at 7:26
  • You are right: you can't use "that" with supplementary (non-defining) relative clauses. Integrated (defining) relative clauses can have "that" or "which". Incidentally, please don't call relative clauses 'adjectival'; they're not -- they are modifiers. Not everything that modifies a noun is an adjective, you know!
    – BillJ
    Commented May 6, 2018 at 13:03
  • @BillJ But this is one of those supplementary that relative clauses discussed in H&P.
    – Araucaria - Not here any more.
    Commented May 8, 2018 at 15:01
  • @Araucaria Surely not. Supplementary that relatives are very rare, and this one doesn't fit the pattern of the ones that H&P give. I'd say that the comma is wrong and this is an integrated relative.
    – BillJ
    Commented May 8, 2018 at 15:45
  • @BillJ The only reason it doesn't seem to fit the pattern, imo, is that it involves extraposition from noun phrase movement. Otherwise it's pretty much exactly the same. As for the comma, try replacing that with which and decide whether a comma is needed or not. I think you'll probably want to put one in.
    – Araucaria - Not here any more.
    Commented May 8, 2018 at 15:56

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
1

Its correct because there is no such rule.

"which" tends to be used in non-restrictive clauses, and "that" tends to be used in restrictive clauses. But it is easy to find examples that don't follow this "rule". It is not uncommon to find non-restrictive clauses that use "that" and possible (but less common) to find restrictive clauses using which.

As a learner, you can choose "that" or "which" for restrictive and non-restrictive clauses and you won't be wrong. But be aware that native speakers won't always follow this.

In spoken language, the phrasing and intonation are more important than the choice of pronoun.

So the quoted sentence is correct, but could also be written with "which".

Improve this answer
3
  • 1
    Note that, even though both are correct, which is more commonly used in the UK than in North America.
    – Jason Bassford
    Commented May 6, 2018 at 21:01
  • 1
    Also, I would question the use of the comma in the sentence. While also not wrong, it's stylistically awkward. If it's actually non-restrictive, I would drop that (or which) altogether and use a semicolon or a dash followed by it. Or make it two sentences.
    – Jason Bassford
    Commented May 6, 2018 at 21:07
  • I also got an annual merit scholarship from X University; it covers 30% of the tuition fees.
    – Mickey Mouse
    Commented May 8, 2018 at 11:47

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .