Confused about What vs Which in English grammar? This comprehensive guide explains the core differences, exact rules, and usage examples to help you master these two important determiners and pronouns effortlessly.
একাধিক ব্যক্তি বা বস্তুর মধ্য থেকে এক বা একাধিক ব্যক্তি বা বস্তু সম্পর্কে প্রশ্ন করতে determiner কিংবা pronoun হিসেবে এ দুটি শব্দ ব্যবহৃত হয়। যেমন:
- Which book/s do you want?
- What book/s do you want?
When to Use Which: Rules and Examples
মনে রাখতে হবে Which ব্যবহৃত হয় জানা বা পরিচিত ব্যক্তি বা বস্তুর সেট থেকে পছন্দ বা নির্বাচন বোঝাতে। যখন সীমিত সংখ্যক বিকল্প থাকে, তখন এটি নিখুঁতভাবে কাজ করে। যেমন:
- Which member/s of your family do you admire most?
- Which of these books do you like to buy?
When to Use What: Rules and Examples
পক্ষান্তরে What ব্যবহৃত হয় অজানা বা উন্মুক্ত সেট (unlimited or unknown options) থেকে কাউকে বা কোনো বস্তুকে বোঝাতে। এটি নির্দিষ্ট কোনো সীমার মধ্যে সীমাবদ্ধ নয়। যেমন:
- What are you reading?
Quick Comparison: What vs Which Table
| Feature | Which | What |
|---|---|---|
| Selection Scope | Limited / Known options | Unlimited / Unknown options |
| Followed by "of" | Yes (e.g., Which of them) | No |
Key Takeaways
- Use Which when choosing from a specific, limited, or known group of items or people.
- Use What when asking open-ended questions with an unlimited or unknown set of possibilities.
- Remember that Which can be followed by "of", whereas What cannot.
Quick Practice
Test your understanding of What vs Which by answering these practice questions in the comments below:
- ___ color do you prefer, red or blue?
- ___ is your favorite subject in school?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the main difference between what and which?
The primary difference lies in the number of options. Which is used for a limited, known choice, while What is used for an open or unlimited choice.
Can we use "what" before a noun phrase?
Yes, What can act as a determiner before a noun when asking general questions without a restricted set of choices.