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Which

Which is a wh-word. We use which to ask questions and to introduce relative clauses.

Which as a question word​

We use which in questions as a determiner and interrogative pronoun to ask for specific information:

  • ‘Which car are we going in?’ he asked Alexander.
  • Which museums did you visit?
  • Which do you prefer? Lemon cake or carrot cake?

We use which in indirect questions and statements:

  • In the Young Cook of Britain competition, the finalists were asked which famous person they would like to cook for.
  • Find out which way they’re going and we’ll follow.
See also
  • Indirect speech: reporting questions

Which or what?​

We use both which and what to ask questions. We use which when there is a restricted range of answers. We use what more commonly when the range of answers is not restricted:

  • Which is the capital of Liberia? Monrovia or Greenville?
  • What*’s the capital of Liberia?*

Which in relative clauses​

We use which in relative clauses to refer to animals and to things:

  • We have seen a lot of changes which are good for business.
  • The cruise ship, which will depart from Liverpool for a fifteen-night Mediterranean cruise, returns to the Mersey on 29 September.

We also use which to introduce a relative clause when it refers to a whole clause or sentence:

  • She seemed more talkative than usual, which was because she was nervous.
  • People think I sit around drinking coffee all day. Which, of course, I do.

We often use which with prepositions. Some formal styles prefer to use a preposition before which rather than to leave the preposition ‘hanging’ at the end of the sentence:

  • There are several small ponds in which a variety of fish live. (or There are several small ponds which a variety of fish live in.)
See also
  • Prepositions
  • Relative pronouns: which

Which + of​

We use of with which before other determiners (the, those, your) and pronouns (yours, them):

  • Which of the following features do you feel are important when choosing a house?
  • Which of your sisters lives in Boston?
  • There are a lot of high-street retailers. Which of them are offering the best value for money?
See also
  • Relative clauses
  • Questions: interrogative pronouns (what, who)
  • Indirect speech: reporting questions
  • Relative pronouns: which