*Wich or Which | Correct Spelling & Examples
Which is the correct spelling for the pronoun used to ask questions or present extra information.
Wich is a misspelling of which and is always incorrect in this context.
- Which do you prefer, red or blue?
- Wich do you prefer, red or blue?
Wich or which
Wich is an incorrect spelling of which, a relative pronoun and interrogative pronoun.
As a relative pronoun, which means “that” and refers to things or animals. The main difference between that and which is grammatical:
- “That” is used in restrictive clauses and provides essential identifying information.
- Which is used in nonrestrictive clauses and provides nonessential, extra information. Use a comma before which when introducing the nonrestrictive clause.
That bear, which is a grizzly, sometimes appears in our backyard.
This building, which was built in 1905, is our city hall.
As an interrogative pronoun, which asks for a thing or animal selected from a narrow range of options. It can also be used to refer to people when asking about a specific group.
Which was your favorite animal at the zoo today?
Which is it, A or B?
Wich is never correct in these contexts, and the mistake most likely arises out of people forgetting to include the first “h,” which is silent.
To remember how to spell which correctly, think about how other relative/interrogative pronouns are spelled: what, when, who, whose, and whose.
- This diamond, which was my grandmother’s, weighs 3 carats.
- The diamond, wich was my grandmother’s, weighs 3 carats.
The suffix -wich is also seen in English place names (e.g., Norwich or Sandwich). This derives from the Anglo-Saxon suffix -wīc, a naming convention that showed a place was known for a specific artisanal trade.
In American English, you may see wich or ‘wich used as abbreviations for “sandwich,” often in business names or menus using a trendy, colloquial tone.
Witch or which
Witch and which are homophones, meaning their pronunciations are the same. However, witch is a noun that means “a person believed to have magical powers,” often used to refer to a woman.
This fairy tale is about a witch who lives alone in the forest.
Witches are sometimes said to be able to change their shape.
QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker can tell from context if you need witch or which and make sure you don’t mistakenly use wich.
Frequently asked questions about wich or which
- What part of speech is which?
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“Which” has various parts of speech:
- Relative pronoun (e.g., “That theater, which was built in 1750, served as an important meeting point during the revolution”)
- Relative adjective to modify a noun (e.g., “I don’t know which train to take”)
- Interrogative pronoun (e.g., “Which is your favorite?”)
- Interrogative determiner to modify a noun or pronoun (e.g., “Which dress looks best?”)
Some people get confused when choosing wich or which, but “which” is the correct spelling. Make sure you don’t make this mistake by using QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker.
- How do I use which in a sentence?
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You can use “which” in a sentence as a relative pronoun (e.g., “This book, which I bought used, is an original edition”) or as an interrogative pronoun (e.g., “Which house is yours?”).
Just make sure you don’t mix up wich and which; “which” is the correct spelling. QuillBot’s Grammar Checker can help you avoid this mistake in your sentences.
- What does which of the following mean?
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“Which of the following” asks the reader to choose an option from a list that appears next.
“Which” is an interrogative pronoun that asks for a choice from a list of options. “Of the following” is a prepositional phrase that means “of what comes next.”
This phrase is often used in multiple choice questions, where you have to choose the correct answer from a limited range of options.
Some people mix up wich and which, but remember the spelling is always “which.” Avoid this mistake by using QuillBot’s Grammar Checker.
- What’s a synonym for which?
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A synonym for “which” when it is a relative pronoun is “that” or “whatever.”
As an interrogative pronoun, a synonym for “which” is “what.”
Regardless, don’t mix up wich and which. The correct spelling is “which.” QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker can make sure you don’t make this mistake.
- Is “which” a subordinating conjunction?
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No, which is classified as a relative pronoun. Although a relative clause is a type of dependent clause, a relative pronoun is not the same as a subordinating conjunction because it acts as a subject/object or refers back to a noun, whereas a subordinating conjunction is a linking device.
It is also used as an interrogative word (e.g., “Which shirt looks best?”).
Sometimes people confuse wich or which, but the correct spelling is always which.
The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help ensure you’re using relative pronouns and interrogative words correctly.
