Re: facts v. history; which and that

Robert Joseph Honan <robertus[_at_]harbornet.com>
>
> Yes, but how about:
> "The room had one window, which overlooked the parking lot."
>
> differs in meaning from;
> "The room had one window that overlooked the parking lot."
>
> But:
> "The room had one window that overlooked the parking lot."
>
> is not too different from;
> "The room had one window which overlooked the parking lot."
>
>
> After all, both are only describing the nature one window.
>
> Granted it has been some years since I took ENG101, but doesn't the
> main difference in the sentences come from the use of punctuation?

Right, but when you see "which" without a comma you are always in some doubt whether someone left off the comma or really meant what would have been clear had the writer used "that."

Either way, you can take it from a Koven that whiches should be carefully supervised.

• Vance R. Koven * phone: 617-482-3852 *
• attorney at law * fax: 617-482-4972 *
• 20 Park Plaza Ste. 520 * net: vrkoven[_at_]world.std.com *
• Boston, MA 02116 * *

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