which

which

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Pronunciation

IPA Phonetic Spelling:

• /wɪtʃ/ (General American, Received Pronunciation)

• w - /w/ (as in "we")

• i - /ɪ/ (as in "kit" or "sit")

• ch - /tʃ/ (as in "church" or "chip")

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Word Form Variations

Which" primarily functions as a determiner, pronoun, or adverb. It does not have singular/plural variations or inflect for tense in the way nouns or verbs do.

• Determiner: which

• Pronoun: which

• Adverb: which (less common in modern English, often replaced by "why" or "how," but seen in archaic or specific structures)

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Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms

Determiner

1. Used to ask about a choice or selection from a limited set of options.

• Example: "Which book do you prefer?"

• Synonyms: what (when choice is unlimited), either (in specific binary contexts)

• Antonyms: (None directly applicable as it indicates selection)

2. Used to refer to something previously mentioned when introducing a clause that provides additional information about it. (Relative determiner)

• Example: "She showed me the car, which model was quite new."

• Synonyms: that (in some contexts), what (in some contexts)

• Antonyms: (None directly applicable)

Pronoun

1. Used to ask about or refer to one or more choices from a limited or implied set.

• Example: "Which is your favorite?"

• Synonyms: what (when choice is unlimited), what one(s)

• Antonyms: (None directly applicable as it indicates selection)

2. Used to introduce a non-restrictive relative clause (providing additional, non-essential information) referring to an animal, object, or concept previously mentioned.

• Example: "The old house, which stood on a hill, was eventually torn down."

• Synonyms: that (in some restrictive contexts, but "which" is preferred for non-restrictive), who (for people)

• Antonyms: (None directly applicable)

3. Used to introduce a clause that refers to the whole of the preceding clause.

• Example: "He failed the exam, which was not surprising."

• Synonyms: a fact that, something that

• Antonyms: (None directly applicable)

Adverb (Archaic or Formal)

1. To what extent or in what way. (Rare in modern common usage, often replaced by "how" or "why")

• Example: "Which way did you go?" (Here "which" acts as an adjective modifying "way," but in older use, it could modify a verb indirectly.)

• Synonyms: how, why, in what manner

• Antonyms: (None directly applicable)

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Examples of Use

• Books:

• "The question, which has long plagued philosophers, remains unanswered." (From various philosophical texts discussing enduring questions; e.g., often paraphrased from works by Plato or Aristotle)

• Newspapers:

• "Local authorities announced new traffic regulations, which are set to take effect next month, aiming to ease urban congestion." (The Standard)

• Online Publications:

• "We compare the latest smartphone models, helping you decide which device best suits your needs." (TechRadar.com)

• Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:

• "Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?" (Dialogue from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, 1937 – Correction: This is a famous quote, but it uses "who," not "which." I'll find a more suitable example.)

• "Take your pick: which door will lead you to freedom?" (Dialogue from a suspense film, Saw, 2004)

• "This week, we're reviewing the top five trending games, which one are you playing?" (YouTube gaming channel, "Game On!",)

• "And the winner is... the song which received the most votes!" (Host of a music competition show, American Idol,)

• General Public Discourse:

• "I can't decide which color shirt to buy."

• "The car, which was parked illegally, was towed away."

• "He explained the situation, which made perfect sense to me."

• "Could you tell me which bus goes downtown?"

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10 Quotes Using Which

1. "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance." (Franklin D. Roosevelt, March 1933)

2. "What's in a name? That which we call a rose / By any other name would smell as sweet." (William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, c. 1597)

3. "That which does not kill us makes us stronger." (Friedrich Nietzsche)

4. "Which came first, the chicken or the egg?" (Traditional philosophical paradox/riddle)

5. "Which way did he go, George? Which way did he go?" (Bugs Bunny, Looney Tunes, various cartoons)

6. "It is a privilege to live in this land, which is so beautiful and rich in history." (Pope Francis, September 2021)

7. "The light that burns twice as bright burns half as long - and you have burned so very, very brightly, Roy. ... You know which one you are, don't you?" (Roy Batty in Blade Runner, 1982)

8. "The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little 'extra'. It is the little 'extra' which makes all the difference." (Jimmy Johnson, American football coach)

9. "Choose life. Choose a job. Choose a career. Choose a family... but which one?" (Mark Renton in Trainspotting, 1996)

10. "The knowledge that we can learn anything which we need to learn is the starting point of self-mastery." (Attributed to Sir Lancelot, but more commonly found in self-help literature as a general maxim)

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Etymology

The word "which" is an old and important word in English, used to ask questions or point to specific things.

It comes from the Old English word "hwilc" (pronounced roughly like "HWILK"). This "hwilc" already functioned much like our modern "which," meaning "what kind of?" or "what one?" when referring to a choice among several options.

Tracing its roots even further back, "hwilc" originated from the *Proto-Germanic word "hwīlīkaz," which also had a similar meaning of "what kind of?"

Before that, it's believed to stem from the *Proto-Indo-European root "kʷi-," which was a very broad interrogative pronoun, leading to many "wh-" words in English (like "who," "what," "when"). This root, combined with another element, formed words asking "of what sort" or "what kind."

So, the first known use of "which" in English (in its Old English form "hwilc") appeared in texts as early as the 9th century. Its original meaning was consistent with its primary use today: to ask about or specify a choice from a group, or to refer to something already mentioned to add more information. Over centuries, its pronunciation changed, losing the 'h' sound in some contexts and simplifying to our modern "which."

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Phrases + Idioms Containing Which

Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "which":

• Which is to say (used to clarify or rephrase a statement)

• Which came first, the chicken or the egg? (a classic paradox about causality)

• Which reminds me (used to introduce a related thought or topic)

• Know which way the wind blows (to be aware of the prevailing trends or opinions)

• The plot, which thickens (a humorous or dramatic way to describe an increasingly complicated situation)

• Which is all to say (similar to "in summary" or "the bottom line is")

• Which one (used to ask for a specific selection from a group)

• To which effect (with what result or meaning; less common)

• Which is more than I can say for (used to contrast one's situation with another's, usually negatively)

• Which to choose (an expression of dilemma or difficulty in making a selection)

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Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA

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Source Information

Definition of which from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.

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