Necesito un relativo

[irmamar]

...for the armies ..... aquí... were defending Roman provinces on the Continent.

Al ser un sustantivo colectivo de personas, tengo dudas. No sé si 'who' o 'which' o dejar 'that' (que es lo que he puesto).

Thanks.

[poli]

That is correct.

[irmamar]

Thanks.

[Perikles]

Sorry, I disagree. Which sounds much better to me.

[irmamar]

I try to avoid "that" if I can distinguish, but I had doubts. However I think that "that" is correct, too, isn't it?

[Perikles]

Yes, that is correct too. I've just tried to read my Fowler, the bible on English usage, and there are a few pages dedicated to which and that, and is incredibly complicated. The result seems to be that both are correct, and often, but not always, interchangeable. I far prefer which, though, and Fowler seems to also.

[poli]

It's like the difference between los cuales and que.
In your sentence I would use que but los cuales que works too.

If it were in the form of a question you would certainly use which.
(as in which armies defended...)

[CrOtALiTo]

I agree with Poli.

That sound better in the substantive collect.

[irmamar]

OK, thank you everybody.