Reply To: Grammar Is Making a Comeback

On a different thread, I wrote:

“The more important question to ask, though, is whether there are, TODAY (because there are too many variables to fairly compare different eras), a higher percentage of unmarried men and women among the group that uses the shidduch system, or among the group which uses self service.”

Was the proper word “among”, or “amongst”?

Also, should the comma have been placed before or after the parentheses?

Also, I switched between “that” and “which”. Which one is correct?

1) Both “among” and “amongst” would be correct, but “amongst” is considered archaic.

2) The comma was in exactly the right place.

3) “That” would be the proper choice in both cases. If whatever follows can be discarded, use “which.”

Take the following example:

The group of men and women that use the shidduch system, which is usually used by charedim, may or may not have more successful marriages.

That sentence still makes sense if we discard the “which” part:

The group of men and women that use the shidduch system may or may not have more successful marriages.

We can’t discard “that use the shidduch system.”

Here’s a tip: “which” usually is associated with commas.