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"let's make a robot ___ creates a copy of itself"

What would be the right word to use here? That or which?

Linkin
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    Please search the site first to make sure that your question has not already been answered. Check this link for plenty of answers. – fev Dec 11 '20 at 12:05

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I think both are correct depending upon the context you are using them. If you have many robots and now, want to make one that creates a copy of itself, you use that because you are using a defining clause to distinguish this robot from the others.

You use which, when your clause is non-defining as in when you just intend to give a description of the robot.

A defining clause is one that adds something essential to your sentence and your clause definitely does that.

An alternate example: My bike that has a broken seat is in the garage and My bike, which has a broken seat, is in the garage are both correct but the first implies that you have many bikes in your garage.

As a standalone sentence, I think that is better because you are not producing robots in bulk.

Reference: https://www.grammarly.com/blog/which-vs-that/#:~:text=In%20a%20defining%20clause%2C%20use,and%20you%20can%20use%20which.

PoopsAndGiggles
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  • Both 'that' and 'which' would head defining (restrictive) relative clauses here. Admittedly, there are some traditionalists who would query this. But all grammarians would agree that a comma is needed before the relativiser in a non-restrictive clause. This is the umpteenth time this subject has been addressed, often with supported answers. ELU desires avoidance of bloat. – Edwin Ashworth Dec 11 '20 at 12:42