What or Which?
In Grammar 2-1 we reviewed how what and which are used with nouns to make questions. But what’s the difference between what and which? In fact, there is very little difference; however, we prefer to use which if there is a limited number of choices, and we prefer to use what to ask identifying questions.
"What" questions (identifying)
- What job are you interviewing for?
- What colour suit should I wear for my first day of work?
- What kind of food should I bring to the company party?
"Which" questions (selecting)
- Which boss interviewed you?
- Which company did you decide to work for?
- In the USA, which state would you like to work in?
For common topics such as days, months, or years, generally, we use what rather than which because the meaning of the question is more to identify rather than select.
- What year did you start working at your current job?
- Which day would you like to come in for an interview?
Other Ways of Asking "Why"
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