Should this:
We believed the issues which would be on the agenda were too problematic at the time"
Be like this?
We believed the issues that would be on the agenda were too problematic at the time.
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Please see When to use “that” and when to use “which”?– chosterJul 17, 2015 at 16:23
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1Since the relative clause is restrictive, either that or which is correct. If there were commas before and after the relative clause, on the other hand, that would make it non-restrictive, and only which would be correct.– John LawlerJul 17, 2015 at 17:47
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Note that UK and US usages differ. I am British but I prefer the US rules and always use them myself.– chasly - supports MonicaJul 17, 2015 at 19:09
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1 Answer
The second sentence is correct in American usage. In the US we use "that" to introduce a restrictive clause and "which" to introduce a nonrestrictive clause. A less wonky way to figure this out is to remember to use "which" only after a comma: "We believed the issues, which would be on the agenda, were too problematic at the time." If adding the comma changes the meaning of your sentence, then skip the commas and use "that."
