'that' vs 'which' and 'has' vs 'have'

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'that' vs 'which' and 'has' vs 'have'

by semidevil » Wed Apr 08, 2009 5:31 pm
when do you use 'that,' and when do you use 'which?'

Jean-Jacques Rousseau contended that man is good only when in "the state of nature" but is corrupted by society, that compels man to compare himself to others.

A. man is good only when in "the state of nature" but is corrupted by society, that

B. man is good only when in "the state of nature" but is corrupted by society, which

What about 'has' vs 'have'

The recent global boom in the market price for scrap steel and aluminum leads to a sudden rise in the theft of everyday metal objects like manhole covers, guard rails, and empty beer kegs.

A have led to a sudden rise in the theft of everyday objects such as manhole covers, guard rails, and empty beer kegs

B. has led to a sudden rise in the theft of everyday metal objects such as manhole covers, guard rails, and empty beer kegs
Source: — Sentence Correction |

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by cramya » Wed Apr 08, 2009 6:32 pm
I think the answer would be B to both the sentences.

Use "that" in restrictive clauses one when deleted affects the meaning of the sentence i.e gives the sentence a whole new meaning.

Use which for everyhting else.

Lets says we deleted "that compels man to compare himself to others" the sentence still gives the same meanining. thi is just additional information about the society. The main point of the sentence is about the man.

Restrictive clauses are not set off by commas since we have a comma its an addiitonal clue that "which" is to be used.


In my opinion for sentence 2 the subject boom is singular and hence a singular verb "has" must be used instead of have.

Someone please feel free to correct me if I am mistaken in any of the above.

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