{"id":6275,"date":"2022-10-26T06:00:39","date_gmt":"2022-10-26T11:00:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/?p=6275"},"modified":"2022-10-24T13:39:10","modified_gmt":"2022-10-24T18:39:10","slug":"comma-before-which","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/pronouns\/comma-before-which\/","title":{"rendered":"When to Use (and Not Use) a Comma Before Which<\/em>"},"content":{"rendered":"

Writing and speaking in American English often includes the relative pronouns<\/a> which <\/em>and that<\/em>. We use these words to provide essential and nonessential (also known as restrictive and nonrestrictive) information that further explains or identifies.<\/p>\n

The distinction between which <\/em>and that<\/em> was once more established within daily formal writing. The word which<\/em> was used for nonessential clauses, and the word that<\/em> was used for essential clauses.<\/p>\n

Examples<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Here is the stapler, which<\/u> will be yours until further notice.<\/p>\n

Here is the stapler that<\/u> will be yours until further notice.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In the first sentence, which<\/em> leads a nonessential clause with information that is clarifying but not vital. Removing the clause would not alter what needs to be communicated. We could write only here is the stapler<\/em> and our main message would still be intact.<\/p>\n

In the second sentence, that <\/em>leads an essential clause identifying one stapler as distinct from others. The clause thereby \u201crestricts\u201d information, and removing it would alter what needs to be communicated. The recipient would not be aware that the stapler is a specific one that could be taken back later.<\/p>\n

Within that once more-fixed usage, punctuation was equally set. A nonrestrictive which <\/em>clause included a comma or commas; a restrictive that <\/em>clause did not. However, over time which<\/em> has gained increasing acceptance as both a restrictive and nonrestrictive pronoun in American English, particularly in informal and mass communication.<\/p>\n

Examples<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Here is the stapler, which<\/u> will be yours until further notice.<\/p>\n

Here is the stapler which<\/u> will be yours until further notice.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Here we have which <\/em>functioning as both an essential and a nonessential marker. This shifts our instrument for understanding the context from the pronoun to the punctuation.<\/p>\n

If which <\/em>is preceded by a comma, it is nonrestrictive. If it is not preceded by a comma, it is restrictive. For those not yet familiar with these precepts, the dual application of which <\/em>can create hurdles to meaning.<\/p>\n

The following guidelines will help you maintain clarity in your writing by knowing when to use a nonrestrictive which<\/em> clause with an identifying comma before it.<\/p>\n

Comma Before Which<\/em>: Nonrestrictive Clauses<\/h2>\n

Although popular style may use which <\/em>both restrictively and nonrestrictively, we as precise writers will aim to maintain the distinction by applying which<\/em> as a nonrestrictive relative pronoun.<\/p>\n

Use one comma before which<\/em> when the nonessential clause ends a sentence:<\/p>\n

Jermaine has the toolbox, which<\/u> is mine.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

When the nonessential clause appears in the midst of a sentence, use a comma before and after the which<\/em> clause.<\/p>\n

Jermaine has the toolbox, which<\/u> is mine, and he will return it later today.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Comma Before Which<\/em>: Prepositional Phrases<\/h2>\n

The word which<\/em> is often paired with prepositions. Just a few examples include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
above which<\/td>\nby which<\/td>\nof which<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
at which<\/td>\nfrom which<\/td>\nto which<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
below which<\/td>\nin which<\/td>\nupon which<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
beside which<\/td>\nnear which<\/td>\nwith which<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

We would not use a comma before or after which<\/em> when it is part of a prepositional phrase.<\/p>\n

Correct:<\/strong> That is the location at which we’ll arrive by 7 p.m.<\/em>
\nIncorrect:<\/strong> That is the location at, which we’ll arrive by 7 p.m.<\/em><\/p>\n

Correct:<\/strong> To which address should he send this?<\/em>
\nIncorrect:<\/strong> To, which address should he send this?<\/em><\/p>\n

Correct:<\/strong> That is the basis upon which the jury will judge the outcome.<\/em>
\nIncorrect:<\/strong> That is the basis upon, which the jury will judge the outcome.<\/em>
\nIncorrect:<\/strong> That is the basis upon which, the jury will judge the outcome.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Comma Before Which<\/em>: Indirect Questions<\/h2>\n

The word which<\/em> commonly opens a direct question (also referred to as an interrogative sentence<\/a>):<\/p>\n

Which<\/u> way is the bank?<\/em><\/p>\n

Which<\/u> dress are you wearing to the dance?<\/em><\/p>\n

Which<\/u> bat will Babe use during the game?<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The same questions might also be indirect ones presented as declarative statements<\/a>. We would not use a comma before which<\/em> when it is part of an indirect question.<\/p>\n

Examples<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

I asked him which<\/u> way the bank is.<\/p>\n

Brynne wants to know which<\/u> dress you are wearing to the dance.<\/p>\n

The fans are curious which<\/u> bat Babe will use during the game.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

When the question beginning with which<\/em> is part of dialogue with preceding attribution, we would include a comma before it:<\/p>\n

I asked, \u201cWhich<\/u> way is the bank?\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Related Topics<\/h3>\n

That vs. Which<\/a>
\nRestrictive Clause: What Is a Restrictive Clause?<\/a>
\nNonrestrictive Clause: What Is a Nonrestrictive Clause?<\/a><\/p>\n

Pop Quiz<\/h2>\n

Insert commas wherever they belong with the word which<\/em> in the following sentences. If a use of which <\/em>does not require a comma or commas, leave it be.<\/p>\n

1. Jessica asked Marlon about the heirloom which has been in his family for centuries.<\/p>\n

2. The answer to the question which we’ll have tomorrow may surprise all of us.<\/p>\n

3. Fatmir asked \u201cWhich fact will sway Maribella?\u201d<\/p>\n

4. On which day will they hold the auction?<\/p>\n

5. Which stain on the rug are you talking about?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Pop Quiz Answers<\/h3>\n

1. Jessica asked Marlon about the heirloom,<\/strong> which<\/strong> has been in his family for centuries.<\/p>\n

2. The answer to the question,<\/strong> which<\/strong> we’ll have tomorrow,<\/strong> may surprise all of us.<\/p>\n

3. Fatmir asked,<\/strong> \u201cWhich<\/strong> fact will sway Maribella?\u201d<\/p>\n

4. On which day will they hold the auction? No commas<\/strong><\/p>\n

5. Which stain on the rug are you talking about? No commas<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Writing and speaking in American English often includes the relative pronouns which and that. We use these words to provide essential and nonessential (also known as restrictive and nonrestrictive) information that further explains or identifies. The distinction between which and that was once more established within daily formal writing. The word which was used for […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[74,13,8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6275","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-clauses-sentences","category-commas","category-pronouns"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6275"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6275"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6275\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6277,"href":"https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6275\/revisions\/6277"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6275"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6275"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.grammarbook.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6275"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}