5月25日号：Which vs. what

Which and what are question words. We often use them to ask about options and choices. Today, let’s look at these two words and some of the differences between them.

When we ask about choices or options, what and which have almost the same meaning. However, there is an important difference.

Which is usually better when you have a very small number of choices or options.

◆ Which would you prefer: coffee, tea or soda?

◆ Which jacket should I wear with this shirt: the red one or the blue one?

◆ Which conference room are we using for today’s meeting: Room A or Room B?

On the other hand, what is better when you have a lot of possible choices or options.

◆ What is your favorite book?

◆ What is your brother’s name?

◆ What time does the museum open?

In cases where there are several options or choices, it is possible to use either what or which.

◆ What / Which train should I take to get to Tokyo Station?

◆ What / Which high school did you go to?

◆ What / Which is your favorite coffee shop?

If you want to emphasize that there are fewer choices, it is better to use which. If you want to emphasize there are many choices, it is better to use what.

この続きは紙面でご覧ください

Ian先生プロフィール

英会話イーオン東京本社教務課コーディネーター。イーオン教師のトレーニングや英語セミナーを企画制作するカリスマ教師として活躍中。カリフォルニア大学バークレー校卒業。趣味は読書、料理、クラフトワーク。