Re: [PATCH] Grammar fixes for gitattributes documentation

On Nov 15, 2007 6:15 PM, Jeff King [off-list ref] wrote:

On Wed, Nov 14, 2007 at 10:04:25AM +0100, Wincent Colaiuta wrote:

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+A `filter` attribute can be set to a string value which names a
filter driver specified in the configuration.

Will we get the canned "which vs that" discussion on this change?

Perhaps. Neither would be incorrect, although technically "that" is a
tighter match.

Really? I would think "which" works better, in that it is not
restrictive. I.e., "The filter attribute is set to a string. This
string, btw, names a filter driver" (which) rather than "The filter
attribute is set to a string, and from the set of strings, it is set to
the particular string that names a filter driver" (that).

"that" should be used to introduce restrictive clauses (as you point
out), and this use should be a restrictive clause, since you can't set
the attribute to just any value--you need to set it to the value
*that* names the desired filter driver.


Dave.
... writing a thesis, so has grammar on the brain.