The Difference Between 'Which' and 'What': A Comprehensive Guide for SEO

In the realm of English grammar, distinguishing between 'which' and 'what' can help maintain clarity and precision, especially in writing and formal communication. This article provides a comprehensive guide for SEO professionals on when and how to use 'which' and 'what' appropriately.

What is the Difference Between 'Which' and 'What'?

The primary difference between 'which' and 'what' lies in their syntactic roles and the types of clauses they introduce. 'Which' is used to introduce restrictive relative clauses, guiding the reader to the specific element being referred to. On the other hand, 'what' introduces nominal relative clauses and can often be paraphrased with a general head noun and relative clause.

Usage of 'Which'

Use: 'Which' is used to introduce restrictive relative clauses, providing essential information about which item or item set is being referred to.

Example:

The coffee machine which I bought for my wife was on special.

In this example, 'which' introduces a restrictive relative clause that specifies which coffee machine is being referred to.

Usage of 'What'

Use: 'What' is used to introduce nominal relative clauses, and it can act as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. 'What' can also serve to indicate the thing or things understood by a particular context.

Example:

What he said was perfectly true.

Here, 'what' introduces a nominal relative clause, acting as the subject of the sentence.

Another Example:

They did not like what he wrote.

In this context, 'what' also functions as a nominal relative clause, acting as the object of the sentence.

Creating Clarity with Numeric Count

Specificity: 'What' can be used to mean either 'the thing which' or 'the things which,' depending on the context. For example, 'What he said was perfectly true.' implies a single thing, while 'What they did was unacceptable' refers to an action or series of actions.

Context: In informal situations, the distinction between 'which' and 'what' may be less rigid. However, maintaining clarity in writing and formal communication is crucial. Using 'which' and 'what' correctly can help avoid misunderstandings.

Addition Note: In some dialects or informal speech, the distinction between 'which' and 'what' may be less rigid. However, adhering to these guidelines can help maintain clarity in writing and formal communication.

Paraphrasing Nominal Relative Clauses

Nominal relative phrases can sometimes be paraphrased with a general head noun followed by a relative clause. For instance, the phrase 'What baffles me is how few of them can spell' can be paraphrased as 'The thing that baffles me is how few of them can spell.' This transformation helps to maintain clarity and structure, making the sentence easier to understand.

In summary, understanding the difference between 'which' and 'what' can significantly improve the clarity and professionalism of your written content, whether for SEO optimization or general communication. By mastering the use of these pronouns, you can enhance the readability and coherence of your website's content, thereby improving its SEO ranking.