Use of that and which

[pigface]

What determines when 'that' or 'which' should be used in a sentence. For example, is it 'I have a car that I keep in a garage', or is it 'I have a car which I keep in a garage'?

[smudge]

I have a car which I keep in the garage. Or, I have a car which I keep in a garage.

[smudge]

Oh, sorry I'm so tired, I'll have another think tomorrow!

[IndieSinger]

I think either as long as you put the comma in if using "which".

I have a car that I keep in the garage.

I have a car, which I keep in the garage.

[bernardo]

Either is correct. (IndieSinger is thinking in German again - it is compulsory to put a comma after "which" in German and various other languages but not in English).

[Quizmonster]

There used to be a lot of fuss about using 'that' in defining clauses and 'which' in non-defining ones. The plain fact is - as Bernardo suggests - no-one cares any more! In modern English usage, in circumstances such as you describe, either is perfectly acceptable.

[sammylane]

I know some people no longer care ... but think it has to do with the noun that the pronoun is replacing being either the object or the subject of the verb, if its subjct = which, if it's object = that, i.e. I have a car which is kept in the garage (car is subject of kept) I have a car that I keep in the garage (car is object I is the subject) it's a long time since I did any grammar though so could be hopelessly wrong. I think it's kind of like the difference between the use of 'qui' (which) and 'que' (that) in french.

[pigface]

Thanks all. I like the freedom of being able to use that or which when I want...so that's good.