{"id":10371,"date":"2021-01-18T10:37:08","date_gmt":"2021-01-18T10:37:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/?p=10371"},"modified":"2022-09-18T15:32:33","modified_gmt":"2022-09-18T15:32:33","slug":"which-vs-what","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/which-vs-what\/","title":{"rendered":"Which vs. What: The Definitive Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>img#mv-trellis-img-1::before{padding-top:56.25%; }img#mv-trellis-img-1{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-2::before{padding-top:56.25%; }img#mv-trellis-img-2{display:block;}<\/style><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Making a choice between two closely-related words can be sometimes tricky, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/comma-before-not\/?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=grow.me&amp;utm_campaign=grow_search\"><b>not<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to mention taxing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/comma-before-or-after-although\/?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=grow.me&amp;utm_campaign=grow_search\"><b>Although<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> it feels quite uncanny to get confused about a language that we seem to know by heart, linguistic doubts are indeed natural.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/comma-before-after-so\/?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=grow.me&amp;utm_campaign=grow_search\"><b>So<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, why don&rsquo;t we take a closer look between &ldquo;which&rdquo; <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/comma-before-and\/?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=grow.me&amp;utm_campaign=grow_search\"><b>and<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &ldquo;what&rdquo; to find out the nuances behind them?<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<br>\n[toc]\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>What&rsquo;s the difference between using &ldquo;which&rdquo; and &ldquo;what?&rdquo;<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Although both words can function as interrogative pronouns and determiners, we use them differently. &ldquo;Which&rdquo; is used when presenting fewer options while &ldquo;what&rdquo; is used when there are unlimited choices. However, one can be used interchangeably over the other when there is a wide variety of options but not essentially limitless.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>The use of &ldquo;which&rdquo; vs. &ldquo;what&rdquo; in questions<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let me start with the easiest way to explain the differences between the two words, their use in questions or interrogative statements.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&ldquo;Which&rdquo; and &ldquo;what&rdquo; are both <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/comma-before-after-so\/?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=grow.me&amp;utm_campaign=grow_search\"><b>interrogative pronouns<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> which are also commonly known as wh-words.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They generally function as pronouns when they deliberately replace nouns in questions <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/such-as-in-a-sentence\/\"><b>such as<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the next example.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"su-note\" style=\"border-color:#e5e54c;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#FFFF66;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\">\n<p>What does she have?<\/p>\n<p>Which would you rather have?<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, they may also function as determiners or words used before a noun for clarifying reasons, just like how adjectives work.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"su-note\" style=\"border-color:#e5e54c;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#FFFF66;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\">\n<p>What food do you want for dinner?<\/p>\n<p>Which restaurant are we picking tonight?<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To make the distinction even clearer, let&rsquo;s put each word under a microscope, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/comma-usage-in-particular\/?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=grow.me&amp;utm_campaign=grow_search\"><b>in particular<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, when they are used in asking questions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>Asking questions using &ldquo;what&rdquo;<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10376\" src=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-what.jpg\" alt=\"Asking questions using &ldquo;what&rdquo;\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-what.jpg 854w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-what-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-what-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-what-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-what-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-what-720x405.jpg 720w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-what-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-what-735x413.jpg 735w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-what-335x188.jpg 335w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-what-347x195.jpg 347w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-what-520x293.jpg 520w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-what-640x360.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-what.jpg\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"eager\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10376 eager-load\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201280%20720'%3E%3Crect%20width='1280'%20height='720'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"Asking questions using &ldquo;what&rdquo;\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-what.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-1\" data-src=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-what.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-what.jpg 854w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-what-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-what-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-what-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-what-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-what-720x405.jpg 720w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-what-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-what-735x413.jpg 735w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-what-335x188.jpg 335w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-what-347x195.jpg 347w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-what-520x293.jpg 520w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-what-640x360.jpg 640w\" data-svg=\"1\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Using &ldquo;what&rdquo; in asking questions simply means <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/that-that\/\"><b>that<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> we do not have any idea what the response would be<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">so we ask the most general question we could think of.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Put more simply, this is similar to the initial parts of an investigation process wherein the investigators are still gathering bits and pieces of data.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They do not have any leads <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/comma-before-or-after-yet\/?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=grow.me&amp;utm_campaign=grow_search\"><b>yet<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, therefore, the primary option is not to base any answers on assumptions, especially when there is no evidence at all.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Similarly, we use &ldquo;what&rdquo; questions the same way, which is particularly done when there are endless possibilities for responses.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, we use &ldquo;what&rdquo; in asking for the name of a person for the first time when we do not have the slightest idea at all.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/comma-before-or-after-obviously\/?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=grow.me&amp;utm_campaign=grow_search\"><b>Obviously<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> enough, there is an unlimited number of names available in the world, so we prompt the response by asking a general question.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"su-note\" style=\"border-color:#e5e54c;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#FFFF66;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\">What is your name?<\/div><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The example above makes use of the pronominal function of &ldquo;what,&rdquo; which means it substitutes a noun in the sentence.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As mentioned,<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">we may also use &ldquo;what&rdquo; as a determiner to make the meaning of a succeeding noun clearer.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"su-note\" style=\"border-color:#e5e54c;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#FFFF66;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\">What profession do you want to pursue?<\/div><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ergo, asking a question with &ldquo;what&rdquo; indicates the generality of the information-gathering process used when infinite responses are possible.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>Asking questions using &ldquo;which&rdquo;<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10378\" src=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-which.jpg\" alt=\"Asking questions using &ldquo;which&rdquo;\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-which.jpg 854w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-which-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-which-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-which-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-which-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-which-720x405.jpg 720w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-which-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-which-735x413.jpg 735w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-which-335x188.jpg 335w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-which-347x195.jpg 347w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-which-520x293.jpg 520w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-which-640x360.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-which.jpg\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-10378 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-which.jpg\" alt=\"Asking questions using &ldquo;which&rdquo;\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-which.jpg 854w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-which-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-which-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-which-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-which-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-which-720x405.jpg 720w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-which-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-which-735x413.jpg 735w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-which-335x188.jpg 335w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-which-347x195.jpg 347w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-which-520x293.jpg 520w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-which-640x360.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Asking-questions-using-which.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-2\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Asking &ldquo;which&rdquo; questions implies that the speaker, to some extent, already has background knowledge about the information being asked.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When background information is available, it is easier to predict responses, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/comma-before-thereby\/?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=grow.me&amp;utm_campaign=grow_search\"><b>thereby<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> making conversations shorter and faster.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This means that asking questions using &ldquo;which&rdquo; indicates being in the more advanced part of the investigation analogy explained earlier.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Say, for instance, the investigator has already gathered some forensic evidence and wants to confirm them further.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The next level of the investigation should be guided by the background knowledge of the investigator, which means that the options are already narrowed down.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&ldquo;Which&rdquo; questions work similarly. These types of questions are asked when there are fewer or limited choices based on our assumptive knowledge.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"su-note\" style=\"border-color:#e5e54c;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#FFFF66;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\">Which is better, this one or that one?<\/div><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The example above uses the pronoun function of &ldquo;which&rdquo; while the next question uses it as a determiner.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"su-note\" style=\"border-color:#e5e54c;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#FFFF66;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\">Which apartment do you live in, 304-A, 304-B, or 304-C?<\/div><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As you may have guessed, using &ldquo;which&rdquo; is <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/included-but-not-limited-to\/\"><b>not limited to<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> two choices only, more options can be presented, depending on the extent of information that is available to both interlocutors.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Therefore, we use &ldquo;what&rdquo; in generating general questions having infinite responses wherein it can <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/comma-before-or-after-either\/?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=grow.me&amp;utm_campaign=grow_search#growMeShortenerToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJyZWFkZXJJZCI6IiIsImV4cCI6MTYxMDg2NzI2NCwiaWF0IjoxNjEwODY3MDg1LCJpc3MiOiJGYXN0bHkoVVJMU2hvcnRlbmVyKSJ9.eI9MJRwbKpEY44M7U51S3gDZkRx-2sV9JaAig6H-O5c\"><b>either<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> syntactically function as a pronoun or a determiner.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/comma-before-whereas\/?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=grow.me&amp;utm_campaign=grow_search\"><b>Whereas<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, &ldquo;which&rdquo; is used to narrow down the &ldquo;what&rdquo; question, prompted by the presence of background knowledge, which then helps the hearer answer based on a limited number of choices.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>When should we use &ldquo;which&rdquo; over &ldquo;what?&rdquo;<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/comma-before-or-after-now\/?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=grow.me&amp;utm_campaign=grow_search#growMeShortenerToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJyZWFkZXJJZCI6IiIsImV4cCI6MTYxMDg2NzMyOSwiaWF0IjoxNjEwODY3MTUwLCJpc3MiOiJGYXN0bHkoVVJMU2hvcnRlbmVyKSJ9.P22rZK9_7fAmdhi_Hys5RFUgEMIqKZysARj4RrPhKZw\"><b>Now<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that each word has been elaborated in detail, it should be easier to determine when to use one over the other.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We use &ldquo;which&rdquo; over &ldquo;what&rdquo; when we want to present a relatively fewer choices for an easier response from the hearer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Using &ldquo;which&rdquo; also entails that the person asking contains background knowledge of whatever question is being asked.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"su-note\" style=\"border-color:#e5e54c;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#FFFF66;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\">Which state are you from, Idaho or Oregon?<\/div><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Being able to ask the question above implies that the speaker has already gathered necessary information to present choices.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/comma-before-or-after-however\/\"><b>However<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, since the question is based on assumption, the response may or may not be included in the options provided.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hence, we may use a more generalized question if we do not want to show pressumptiveness, especially if we are only starting the conversation with the other person.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>When should we use &ldquo;what&rdquo; over &ldquo;which?&rdquo;<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Contrary to the scenario earlier, we can use &ldquo;what&rdquo; questions in cases when we are still unable to hypothesize options, or simply when the circumstances do not allow us to do so.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Say, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/comma-after-e-g\/?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=grow.me&amp;utm_campaign=grow_search\"><b>for example<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, in an initial contact with an unfamiliar person, we can start by asking general questions.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"su-note\" style=\"border-color:#e5e54c;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#FFFF66;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\">What state are you from?<\/div><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Using &ldquo;what&rdquo; is more appropriate, again, if we do not have the ability to narrow the choices down just yet, or simply when we do not want to come across as assumptive.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/also-beginning-sentence\/\"><b>Also<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, we can see that the use of &ldquo;what&rdquo; over &ldquo;which&rdquo; is considered more polite particularly when talking about topics that are quite culturally sensitive.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>Would the meaning change if we use &ldquo;what&rdquo; over &ldquo;which&rdquo; and vice versa?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/comma-after-yes\/?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=grow.me&amp;utm_campaign=grow_search\"><b>Yes<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the implied meaning could change if we use one over the other depending on some context-driven factors.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To reiterate an earlier point, the idea of being assumptive or misleading may be driven by asking &ldquo;which&rdquo; questions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whereas, the idea of being reserved and withdrawn can be conveyed by asking &ldquo;what&rdquo; questions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hence, we have to consider using &ldquo;what&rdquo; questions more when talking about topics that could be perceived as sensitive like politics, gender, or ethnicity.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"su-note\" style=\"border-color:#e5e54c;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#FFFF66;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\">What is your political inclination?<\/div><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/comma-before-or-after-meanwhile\/?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=grow.me&amp;utm_campaign=grow_search#growMeShortenerToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJyZWFkZXJJZCI6IiIsImV4cCI6MTYxMDg2NzU2NSwiaWF0IjoxNjEwODY3Mzg1LCJpc3MiOiJGYXN0bHkoVVJMU2hvcnRlbmVyKSJ9.wm2K-1Kb3pTrDwP3lX8FUBFL_-Wlo6GhWGOtS46__HA\"><b>Meanwhile<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, we can use &ldquo;which&rdquo; in less controversial topics like food, fashion, or personal preference.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"su-note\" style=\"border-color:#e5e54c;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#FFFF66;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\">Which cuisine do you like better, Italian or French?<\/div><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>When can we interchange &ldquo;which&rdquo; and &ldquo;what&rdquo;?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although some scenarios could prompt us in using one over the other, interchangeability is passable in some cases as well.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This can be done when seeking for a trivial response, particularly when there is a diversity of choices but not essentially limitless.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consider asking someone about a winter activity that they love doing, their music preference, or the month that they are the busiest.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"su-note\" style=\"border-color:#e5e54c;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#FFFF66;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\">\n<p>What\/which winter activity do you enjoy doing?<\/p>\n<p>What\/which kind of music do you listen to?<\/p>\n<p>What\/which month are you the busiest?<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Besides, the questions have to be non-controversial or at least neutral in meaning so as to prevent any unnecessary misinterpretation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>Conclusion<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The common distinctions between using &ldquo;what&rdquo; and &ldquo;which&rdquo; in speech allows us to craft messages depending on our intended purpose.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&ldquo;What&rdquo; allows us to seek for responses in a jungle of options, while &ldquo;which&rdquo; guides and prompts answers when there are fewer available resources.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/comma-before-or-after-thus\/?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=grow.me&amp;utm_campaign=grow_search\"><b>Thus<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, both words play an important role in effectively conveying our thoughts depending on our intention, as well as the number of available options.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Making a choice between two closely-related words can be sometimes tricky, not to mention taxing. Although it feels quite uncanny to get confused about a language that we seem to know by heart, linguistic doubts are indeed natural. So, why don&rsquo;t we take a closer look between &ldquo;which&rdquo; and &ldquo;what&rdquo; to find out the nuances &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":10375,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"disable-in-feed":false,"article-schema-type":"Article","disable-critical-css":false,"_convertkit_action_broadcast_export":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[35,1116],"tags":[313,312,314],"class_list":["post-10371","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-english","category-grammar","tag-what","tag-which","tag-which-vs-what"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10371","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10371"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10371\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10379,"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10371\/revisions\/10379"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10375"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10371"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10371"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10371"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}