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I'm a bit confused with the correct answer in this phrase:

In Florida, you can explore the Everglades or the beaches, _______ are relaxing places.

Is it "which are relaxing places" or "that are relaxing places"? Thanks for the help!

Greenonline
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zerooneeight
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    This is a non-restrictive relative clause, so only which is allowed. – John Lawler Feb 11 '15 at 03:19
  • By the way, the above comment could be construed as a more formal way of expressing the below answer, using proper linguistic terms. – Brian Hitchcock Feb 11 '15 at 06:09
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    @BrianHitchcock No way :-) The answer below is very wrong indeed! It says that we should use that when there isn't a comma! John Lawler's comment says no such thing! – Araucaria - Him Feb 11 '15 at 16:12
  • but leaving out the comma and using "that" makes it a restrictive clause. This does not contradict what Lawler said, but it is rather less elegant. Granted, the choice should not be determined by whether you "want a comma", but rather by what you mean; then the comma use is determined by whether the clause is restrictive or non-restrictive. That's why I upvoted Lawler's comment, but not CactusHouse's answer. – Brian Hitchcock Feb 14 '15 at 10:18

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When you say 'which,' you're generally saying something without which the sentence would be complete (counter example is this sentence).

In the case you describe, you should say 'which,' because saying beaches are relaxing is an aside following a comma. In cases like those, the rules are clearer. If you want a comma, say 'which;' if you don't want a comma, say 'that.' But choose to say 'which' when what follows is more of a detail than an essential part of the sentence.